PUSD welcoming two new principals

Two elementary schools in Poway will be getting new leadership.

Both Tierra Bonita and Painted Rock Elementary schools will be welcoming new principals, Tierra Bonita on or around Feb. 8 and Painted Rock at the end of the month.

Both the previous principals of the schools have moved on to other leadership roles in the district.

Mandy Bedard will be taking over for current Tierra Bonita principal Joe Erpelding, who is moving over to Design 39 to replace principal Sonya Wrisley, who is retiring.

Denise Davis will be taking over at Painted Rock Elementary School. The school currently has an interim principal, as former principal Mary Jo Thomas took a position as assistant principal at Abraxas High School in October.

“Ms. Bedard and Ms. Davis will join an outstanding team of educational leaders. The principal application and selection process is highly competitive and Poway Unified is proud to have such talented principals joining our school district,” said Tracy Hogarth, associate superintendent of Personnel Support Services, in a press release.

For Bedard, who grew up in Poway and attended Garden Road Elementary School, Twin Peaks Middle School and Poway High School, as well as teaching in the district, her role is a return home.

“My roots in Poway are deep. I feel like my journey has come full circle,” said Bedard, who is currently an assistant principal at Discovery Elementary School in the San Marcos Unified School District. “I’ve gone from student, to teacher, and now principal.”

Bedard is also a parent in the district, she said.

Bedard earned her Master of Education from National University and her bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego. Her Bachelor of Arts concentration was in liberal arts and multi- cultural education. She has been working in education since 2002.

Bedard said she was honored to have been selected to be Tierra Bonita’s new principal, and was looking forward to getting to know the students, staff and parents at the school.

Davis is also looking forward to starting her new position in Poway, one she’s dreamed of for awhile, she said.

“I discovered there was an opening in Poway, and the timing was just right,” said Davis. “My kids are grown, and I’ve always wanted to move to San Diego.”

Davis, currently the principal at Castaic Elementary School in the Castaic Union School District in Los Angeles, has over 30 years of experience in education.

Davis obtained her master’s degree in educational administration from California State University Northridge. She also earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from the same university.

She has also served as an assistant principal and a teacher at the elementary level.

Davis said she will be spending her first few months as principal getting to know the school and the culture of the community, and plans to build on what Painted Rock and Poway Unified School District are already doing.

“I’ve heard really great things about Painted Rock,” said Davis. “I’m really excited to work in a school with as much community and parent support (as Painted Rock). It’s tough leaving everything behind, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”