CIS Principal Torres, Ms. Portia B. Harris and PEF staffer Phyllis Fash (Photo – Scott Phelps)
Many local school supporters and community leaders spread out to serve as Principal for a Day in the Pasadena schools.
By Scott Phelps
An annual event produced by the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF), this is a great opportunity for people to learn firsthand about how public schools operate and to experience a day in the life of a principal at Pasadena Unified.
Principal Larry Torres of PUSD’s Center for Independent Study (CIS) Academy hosted Portia B. Harris as Principal for a Day. She is a graduate of Leadership Pasadena and is now on its Board of Directors. She is also a proud product of PUSD, graduating from Blair High School’s class of 1994.
Ms. Harris is a board-certified Ayurveda Practitioner. Before her career in holistic health, she spent two decades in student affairs in higher education, dedicating herself to diversity and inclusion initiatives at esteemed institutions including UC Santa Barbara, UC Berkeley, and Caltech. Furthermore, she serves as the President & Co-Director of the Harris-Bacor Family Foundation, which is focused on uplifting underserved communities through philanthropy.
Ms. Harris visited with CIS 10th grader Rabiyah Najieb who was on campus getting Chemistry help from her mentor teacher. She asked Rabiyah about coming to CIS for her studies. Rabiyah spoke about how the online nature of CIS works better for her, as she has a very busy life. Rabiyah models, has her own skin care line, co-manages local AirBnB’s, and travels, always doing something. She does want to return to an in-person school for her senior year to participate in all the senior year activities.
PEF plans to continue this event each year, as it is an eye-opener for those who are not aware of the good work done by the staff at PUSD.
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