With a new academic year approaching, the local school district announced it has hired a new principal for South Pasadena High School.
John Eldred is leaving the Glendale Unified School District to take the helm at SPHS this month. He has been assistant principal at Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta for the past seven years and previously taught for 20 years at Glendale High School.
“I look forward to joining a welcoming community with a tradition of excellence in education and carrying on meaningful Tiger traditions,” Eldred said in a statement, “all while maintaining a positive and caring learning environment that empowers our students and helps them succeed.”
In the South Pasadena Unified School District’s announcement, Superintendent Geoff Yantz said he was “thrilled” to make the hire.
“Mr. Eldred’s experience leading secondary students and his deep understanding of teaching and learning provide an excellent foundation for the future of SPHS,” Yantz said. “With a thoughtful and caring approach, Mr. Eldred is centered on student well-being and success while ensuring that staff, parents and the community work collaboratively to prepare students for college and life experiences.”
At CVHS, Eldred’s responsibilities included curriculum development, state testing planning and logistics, student conflict resolution, participation in the 504/IEP process regarding the education of children with disabilities, teacher and employee guidance and professional development, school facilities operations and management, and planning and managing large-scale events. He taught English and social studies at GHS, where he was department chair, and also served as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation team leader, student adviser and faculty cabinet member.
Twice he was named teacher of the year at GHS and he also was named the PTSA Outstanding Administrator at CVHS.
Eldred earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and history from Cal State Northridge and later earned a master’s degree in education with a concentration in secondary education and teaching from the same institution. He lives in Sunland with his wife, with whom he raised three daughters.
At SPHS, Eldred takes the reins from Janet Anderson, who is retiring after 20 years at the school and 41 with SPUSD. Anderson, a South Pasadena native who graduated from SPHS and has spent her entire educational career here, plans to leave in August after assisting in the leadership transition.
Eldred is the second administrator SPUSD has poached from CVHS in June. The school’s principal, Linda Junge, was hired as the new assistant superintendent of human resources earlier in the month.
The district will have a meet-and-greet for Eldred at SPHS prior to the start of the school year.
