Dr. Charles Heaton Named Principal of Pasadena Unified’s McKinley School

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Brian McDonald announced Wednesday the appointment of Charles Heaton, Ph.D. as principal of McKinley School for the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year, pending school board approval.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Pasadena community as principal of McKinley School,” said Dr. Heaton. “I remain passionate and committed to school improvement and educational excellence for all students, and I intend to work diligently to create an environment where students and staff are successful and happy. My leadership vision for McKinley School is: Joining together is the beginning. Working together is progress. Growing together is success.”

Heaton joins PUSD from Greene County Public Schools in Ruckersville, VA where he was principal of Ruckersville Elementary School. There Dr. Heaton significantly improved school climate by implementing a new organizational and leadership structure promoting interdisciplinary learning and teaming, implementing student programming initiatives and positive behavior supports, and creating a cohesive and proud school community that focuses on 21st century learning practices. He was previously assistant principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa, VA where he reimaged the school’s identity while also developing and implementing positive behavior intervention programming. He also has served as a teacher in Florida and Texas.

“Charles Heaton brings a fresh perspective to PUSD after his notable work in Virginia, Texas and Florida raising the profile of his school in the community while also focusing on school climate and student achievement,” said Superintendent McDonald. “I would also like to thank Dave Banis, Norm Morrow and Sheryl Orange for stepping in and helping at McKinley this school year.”

Awarded a Ph.D. and the Gansneder Disseration of the Year Award from the Curry School of Education, Administration and Supervision at the University of Virginia, Heaton possesses a master’s in education from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.

Pending board approval, Dr. Heaton will begin working at PUSD on May 18. Over 1000 students receive a quality education at PUSD’s McKinley School ranging from transitional kindergarten to eighth grade.