Kristin Forrest is the new prinicipal of Webster Elementary. – Courtesy photo / PUSD

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Brian McDonald has named Kristin Forrest as principal of Webster Elementary School and Germaine Nesbitt as principal of McKinley School.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Germaine Nesbitt to PUSD and to promote Kristin Forrest as principal,” said Superintendent Brian McDonald. “I am confident that, with their leadership and vision, they will build upon the strengths of McKinley and Webster Elementary.”

Kristin Forrest

Kristin Forrest brings more than 20 years of experience as an educator to her new position as principal of Webster Elementary School, which serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. She has served as an instructional coach at Sierra Madre Middle School and Pasadena High School in 2018-2019 and at Jefferson Elementary School from 2013-2018, where she was also the school’s language development resource teacher. She has previously worked at Eliot Middle School and Jackson Elementary School and began her career as a third grade teacher at Longfellow Elementary School.

“I am honored to serve as principal of Webster Elementary School.  I am proud to have taught in the Pasadena Unified School District for the past 22 years and to also be the parent of three PUSD alumni,” said Forrest. “I look forward to fostering strong relationships among staff, teachers, parents, and community members to benefit our students.  I am confident that together we will guide our students to be the innovators and critical thinkers of the future.”

Ms. Forrest has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles; a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University Los Angeles; and an Administrative Credential in Educational Leadership from Cal Poly Pomona.

Germaine Nesbitt

Germaine Nesbitt is the new principal of McKinley School, which serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. She joins PUSD from The School of Arts and Enterprise, a sixth-12th grade school in Pomona where she served as director since 2013. Nesbitt has 20 years of experience as an instructional leader in project-based learning, and was a math and business teacher for 10 years. She also helped develop a middle school STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program.

“I am excited to be a part of the McKinley School team and prepare our students for the 21st century creative economy,” said Nesbitt. “The McKinley staff has continually demonstrated a commitment to excellence and dedication to student growth and development. I believe that the arts positively impact student achievement.  I’m committed to continue to promote arts access for all students and to provide a safe and supportive environment for students to excel academically and feel a sense of belonging. I believe every student counts!”

Nesbitt began her career in education in 1992 as a special education support staff member in the Morgan Hill Unified School District. Prior to becoming an educator, Nesbitt worked in financial management and marketing for Fortune 100 and 500 companies, including GTE and First Texas Bank. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Cal Poly Pomona; a Master of Arts in educational administration from California State University, San Bernardino; and an Administrative Services Credential from the University of California, Irvine, and California State University, San Bernardino.