Assistant Principal and Principal
SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. (May 5, 2020) – South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) has named Cheryl Busick as the new principal for South Pasadena Middle School.
“We are thrilled to announce that Cheryl Busick will take the lead at South Pasadena Middle School,” said Superintendent Geoff Yantz. “Mrs. Busick’s proven leadership skills within the District and her track record of developing a positive learning experience for students, a supportive teaching environment for faculty and staff, and an engaged parent community will serve our middle school well.”
For the past nine years, Busick served as principal of Arroyo Vista Elementary School. With her leadership, the school earned a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School award, two California Distinguished School honors (2017, 2014), and a California Gold Ribbon School honor (2015). Busick passionately advocates for continuous improvements in student learning by spearheading programs that help students achieve their personal best while also encouraging community involvement. She effortlessly brings together teachers and staff encouraging them to develop academic initiatives that assist at-risk learners and challenge those students who perform above grade level.
Before becoming principal at Arroyo Vista Elementary School, Busick served as principal of Longden Elementary School in Temple City, assistant principal of Mark Keppel, Fremont, and Glenoaks Elementary Schools in Glendale, and a categorical specialist at Wilson Middle School in Glendale. She began her teaching career at Mountain Avenue Elementary School in Glendale.
Busick has earned multiple, higher-level degrees including a master’s degree in education from Point Loma and a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, along with an administrative services credential from Chapman University and a multiple subjects credential from Long Beach State University.
Busick will take over leadership responsibilities at South Pasadena Middle School on July 1, 2020. SPUSD will begin the process of selecting a principal for Arroyo Vista immediately.
Lewis previously served as Mathematics Department Chair, math teacher, and tenth-grade lead teacher at New West Public Charter High School in Los Angeles, Calif. In addition, he worked as a middle school math teacher, seventh-grade team leader, and Safe & Civil Team leader during his five-year tenure at Green Dot Public Schools in Los Angeles. He brings varied instructional leadership skills such as creating and facilitating professional development opportunities for staff, coaching fellow teachers on classroom management and instructional strategies and interpreting various types of data to support student learning. Lewis’ focus on student achievement is evident in all areas of his work but especially as the Safe & Civil Team leader where he received training in restorative justice practices to increase equity within the school community. During his years as a teacher, Lewis developed teaching strategies that met the needs of diverse learners and created whole-school events to improve the school climate.
Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture & Society and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. He looks forward to joining South Pasadena Unified in mid-June 2021.
Fax: 626-441-5835
1500 Fair Oaks Avenue
South Pasadena, CA 91030