Principal

Dr. Marchesso brings 22 years of experience as an educator to Sierra Madre Elementary.  She joined PUSD in 2007 as a middle and high school science teacher at Blair High School. In 2012, she joined the district’s Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development Department as the STEM Specialist and recently transitioned to the Coordinator of Professional Development and Community Schools. Dr. Marchesso led the district through the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards, created the Innovation Exposition, developed strong community partnerships with Carnegie Observatories and Caltech’s Center for Teaching and Learning, and worked closely with principals and staff to grow PUSD’s Community Schools. Dr. Marchesso served as the interim Assistant Principal at Sierra Madre Elementary School in Spring 2021, supporting the re-opening of the campus and students' return from remote learning.  

In addition to her work in PUSD, Dr. Marchesso is an adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College and has served on many state-level committees. In the past year, she served on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee for the California Association of Science Educators. 

Dr. Marchesso has a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Management and a Master of Education from William Howard Taft University, a CLAD credential from UCLA, an administrative credential from National University, a Bachelor of Science in Education from Black Hills State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Dakota.

“It is an honor to be chosen to serve as the Principal of Sierra Madre Elementary,” says Dr. Marchesso. “I look forward to returning to the community that warmly welcomed me last year when we returned from remote learning.”