From the Superintendent:

 

I am happy to announce that at the June 17, 2014 Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Toni Brown was approved as the new principal for Pennekamp Elementary School.

 

Dr. Brown was selected after a comprehensive process. First, we met with Pennekamp teachers and parents to learn what criteria would make the best principal at Pennekamp Elementary. Then, a team of Pennekamp teachers and MBUSD administrators reviewed a pool of 25 qualified applicants. Next, a team of Pennekamp teachers, Pennekamp parents and MBUSD administrators interviewed seven highly qualified candidates. Finally, the Superintendent and Cabinet members interviewed two finalist candidates. From those interviews, Dr. Brown was the clear choice as the best candidate for Pennekamp.

 

Dr. Brown earned her BA and MA from Loyola Marymount, and her Ed.D. from USC. She was a teacher and counselor in two other districts before we hired her as the now, highly-regarded assistant principal at Manhattan Beach Middle School, in 2011. She is known as a kind, caring and highly competent administrator who cares deeply for students. She is also a positive, high-energy person who supports teachers, communicates with parents and brings people together.

 

I thank everyone involved in helping this process to happen. Dr. Brett Geithman, Executive Director of Human Resources, and his staff did an outstanding job of advertising the position and arranging every level of the process. There were so many Pennekamp teachers, Pennekamp parents and MBUSD administrators who gave their time to this process, making it a true community effort. I believe that Dr. Brown is a perfect fit for Pennekamp, and I know she will carry on the great work happening there now.

 

Dr. Brown will officially begin as the Pennekamp principal on July 1, 2014.  Congratulations to Dr. Brown and the entire Pennekamp community.  

 

Thank you,