PUSD Staff Welcome Back
Pasadena Unified Launches New School Year with “The Power of Us: Forward Together”
Annual Welcome Back event focuses on academic success and the future
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) welcomed employees back for the 2026-27 school year at its annual all-staff Welcome Back event, bringing together educators, school and district staff, community partners and leaders under this year’s theme, “The Power of Us: Forward Together.”
Students took center stage and opened the event, including student musicians, singers, JROTC cadets, and a drum line. The event also featured inspiring speakers, hands-on professional development, and an award ceremony honoring exceptional employees and community partners. Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco looked ahead to a year focused on academic success, effective operational systems, and visioning for the future.
2026 Awards
Celebrating PUSD Employees and Community Partners
Five awards were presented during the event, recognizing individuals and partners whose work reflects service, leadership, and commitment to PUSD students and schools.
![Portrait of Michael Birnbryer, Teacher of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786472865/pusdus/nwbpbkgyqck1aua9wpy7/MichaelBirnbryer-Lao2026TeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786472865/pusdus/nwbpbkgyqck1aua9wpy7/MichaelBirnbryer-Lao2026TeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786472865/pusdus/nwbpbkgyqck1aua9wpy7/MichaelBirnbryer-Lao2026TeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786472865/pusdus/nwbpbkgyqck1aua9wpy7/MichaelBirnbryer-Lao2026TeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786472865/pusdus/nwbpbkgyqck1aua9wpy7/MichaelBirnbryer-Lao2026TeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786472865/pusdus/nwbpbkgyqck1aua9wpy7/MichaelBirnbryer-Lao2026TeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":2200}])
![Portrait of Eric Barba 2026 Principal of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786472865/pusdus/vq2bjj54tmp6cr5s4zbv/EricBarba2026PrincipaloftheYear.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786472865/pusdus/vq2bjj54tmp6cr5s4zbv/EricBarba2026PrincipaloftheYear.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786472865/pusdus/vq2bjj54tmp6cr5s4zbv/EricBarba2026PrincipaloftheYear.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786472865/pusdus/vq2bjj54tmp6cr5s4zbv/EricBarba2026PrincipaloftheYear.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786472865/pusdus/vq2bjj54tmp6cr5s4zbv/EricBarba2026PrincipaloftheYear.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786472865/pusdus/vq2bjj54tmp6cr5s4zbv/EricBarba2026PrincipaloftheYear.jpg","width":2200}])
![Portrait of Dorsett Mannings 2026 Classified Employee of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786472865/pusdus/eszatu8fancddvjgobey/DorsettMannings2026ClassifiedEmployeeoftheYear.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786472865/pusdus/eszatu8fancddvjgobey/DorsettMannings2026ClassifiedEmployeeoftheYear.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786472865/pusdus/eszatu8fancddvjgobey/DorsettMannings2026ClassifiedEmployeeoftheYear.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786472865/pusdus/eszatu8fancddvjgobey/DorsettMannings2026ClassifiedEmployeeoftheYear.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786472865/pusdus/eszatu8fancddvjgobey/DorsettMannings2026ClassifiedEmployeeoftheYear.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786472865/pusdus/eszatu8fancddvjgobey/DorsettMannings2026ClassifiedEmployeeoftheYear.jpg","width":2200}])
![Picture of Toliver and McKenzie, 2026 Hero Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786472865/pusdus/ytyr7te78o4iebtkvpe0/2026HeroAward_Toliver_McKenzie.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786472865/pusdus/ytyr7te78o4iebtkvpe0/2026HeroAward_Toliver_McKenzie.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786472865/pusdus/ytyr7te78o4iebtkvpe0/2026HeroAward_Toliver_McKenzie.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786472865/pusdus/ytyr7te78o4iebtkvpe0/2026HeroAward_Toliver_McKenzie.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786472865/pusdus/ytyr7te78o4iebtkvpe0/2026HeroAward_Toliver_McKenzie.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786472865/pusdus/ytyr7te78o4iebtkvpe0/2026HeroAward_Toliver_McKenzie.jpg","width":2200}])
![Superintendent's award Above and Beyond]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786472865/pusdus/nca18mlvpa824ffgo9gi/CCC2026Superintendent_sAboveandBeyond.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786472865/pusdus/nca18mlvpa824ffgo9gi/CCC2026Superintendent_sAboveandBeyond.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786472865/pusdus/nca18mlvpa824ffgo9gi/CCC2026Superintendent_sAboveandBeyond.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786472865/pusdus/nca18mlvpa824ffgo9gi/CCC2026Superintendent_sAboveandBeyond.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786472865/pusdus/nca18mlvpa824ffgo9gi/CCC2026Superintendent_sAboveandBeyond.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786472865/pusdus/nca18mlvpa824ffgo9gi/CCC2026Superintendent_sAboveandBeyond.jpg","width":2200}])