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, and will take over leadership responsibilities at South Pasadena Middle School on July 1, 2020. 

“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.

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. (JUNE 2, 2025) – South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) has hired Mike Mora to serve as the new assistant principal of South Pasadena Middle School (SPMS). Mora will replace Stephen Lewis, who is transitioning to a middle school in the South Bay after four years of excellent service to SPMS to be closer to his home and family.

For the past two years, Mora has served as assistant principal at Monterey Hills Elementary School. Last summer, he worked at South Pasadena High School as the Summer School principal. Prior to his tenure with SPUSD, Mora worked for thirteen years as a science and electives teacher at First Avenue Middle School in Arcadia.

“In a short time, Mr Mora has developed into an outstanding school administrator and shows great promise for a long career path,” said SPUSD Superintendent Geoff Yantz. “We thank him for his tremendous contributions to Monterey Hills, and we are looking forward to his transition to the middle school.”  

As the assistant principal at Monterey Hills, Mora facilitated student support meetings, worked to ensure a healthy, positive school environment for students, and managed student discipline using restorative justice practices. He brings instructional leadership skills developed through his work with school site councils and school leadership teams in Arcadia. As a former school site technology coach, Mora provided professional support to teachers, helped develop robotics curricula, and integrated technology into teaching through innovative practices.

Mora earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge, a master’s degree in Education and Teaching from Azusa Pacific University, and an administrative credential from the University of California, Irvine. He looks forward to beginning his new role at South Pasadena Middle School on July 1, 2025. Congratulations to both Mr. Lewis and Mr. Mora on their new roles.