Recipients of PUSD awards (lL-R): Principal of the Year Dr. Eric Barba, Pasadena High School; Superintendent’s Hero Award recipients Dr. Maria Toliver and Lanisha McKenzie; PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco; Teacher of the Year Michael Brynbryer-Lao, Blair High School; Superintendent’s Above & Beyond Award recipient Pastor Eric Johnson of the Clergy Community Coalition; keynote speaker Courtney Linsey; Classified Employee of the Year Dorsett Manning, night custodian; and Pasadena Educational Foundation Executive Director Dr. Patrick Conyers.
Pasadena Unified School District employees returned to work Thursday with music, student performances and a message of shared purpose as the district welcomed staff for the 2026-27 school year.
By Rena Kurlander
The annual all-staff Welcome Back event brought together educators, school and district employees, community partners and local leaders around this year’s theme, “The Power of Us: Forward Together.”
Students helped set the tone from the start, taking the stage as musicians, singers, JROTC cadets and members of a drum line.
Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco used the gathering to look ahead to a year focused on academic achievement, strong operational systems and planning for the district’s future.
“This year, we’re building on what we have accomplished, learning from what we’ve been through, and creating our own future instead of waiting for it to happen,” Blanco said.
She described the district’s strength as the collective commitment of its employees to put students first and take responsibility for what comes next.
Blanco pointed to PUSD’s 91 percent graduation rate, which exceeded the state rate, as well as progress in mathematics. She also emphasized the district’s continued focus on literacy, multilingual learners and students with disabilities.
The superintendent also reflected on the difficult year behind the district, including its recovery from the Eaton Fire. She recognized employees who worked to support students and colleagues during an extraordinary period for the Pasadena community.
The event also featured keynote speaker Courtney Linsey, a Pasadena-based educator, creative leader and storyteller.
With students returning to classrooms Monday, Aug. 17, the gathering offered PUSD employees an opportunity to begin the new school year with a shared focus: building on the district’s progress and moving forward together.
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