Janet Anderson
Meet Janet.
A longtime South Pasadena native with an unmatched legacy of service in local education, Janet Anderson is a pillar in our community and has helped shape the lives of thousands of students through her unwavering generosity and commitment to community.
About the Legend
Introduce yourself!
I am a South Pasadena native and went to SPUSD schools for all grades except fourth when my family moved to Arizona for a year. I attended Oneonta and El Centro elementary schools, the Jr. High, and SPHS. Without a long-range plan to move back to South Pasadena or to teach, after finishing my studies at UCLA (Sociology) and a graduate year there to get a teaching credential, I did end up back in the city and school district.
I spent forty-one years teaching and as an administrator and worked at each of the District's schools. I taught at Arroyo Vista, Monterey Hills, and the Jr. High and High School. I was Assistant Principal at the High School, followed by three years as Marengo's Principal and then twenty-one as the SPHS Principal, retiring in August of 2021.
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have a brother and a sister. In school, my brother was known as Jimmy, but now as Jay. He is an artist, writer, and was a teacher and coach. My sister Nancy has always made SP her home. She and her husband, Duane, live just a mile from me. Nancy is an artist and was an excellent art director for magazines for many years.
What are you passionate about? What do you love about what you do?
I absolutely loved working with and for kids in the school system. Trying to make a positive impact and getting to know the students was really rewarding. I remain in touch with many from throughout the years. It is important for me to help young people have opportunities and to inherit a good situation in our country and world. In retirement, I'm still trying to figure out how to work on that in a systemic way outside of the school milieu.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I am pleased that I was able to commit to working with families in South Pasadena for so long. I learned something from every student, parent, and colleague with whom I interacted. While there were inevitable challenges from time to time, I think we built a cohesive team.
What is something on your bucket list?
I want to do more traveling. The pandemic's timing did not match my own, and I'm trying to look forward and make plans to see more of the world.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
I guess the best advice I have been given was to think about others' perspectives and to assume best intent. This is something we emphasized at SPHS.
Your South Pasadena Story
What are some of your favorite restaurants or businesses in South Pasadena?
I always enjoy going to Ecco Hair Studio because it's in an historic building that is familiar and also because of the fun spirit there that has a family feel. My friend and "hair guy," Michael, did not grow up in SP, but he has really adopted it and is a big fan of the city. The Ai and Fair Oaks Pharmacy are also "old friends."
What is your go-to "happy place" in South Pasadena?
I think I would be ungrateful if I didn't say Anderson Auditorium at SPHS! HA.
What local landmark, business, organization, etc. feels to you like it captures the South Pasadena spirit?
As for landmarks, I do love the Oaklawn Bridge because I recall being able to use it to cross Fair Oaks before it was given a curb. I also like to see the underground passageways at some streets, like at Fremont and Huntington Drive that we used to use when I was a kid. Lots of local places, like the Rialto, have connections and memories from different times in my life.
I like that the civic clubs, PTAs, and the South Pasadena Educational Foundation all have a sense of city pride and are generous in supporting the residents, especially the kids.
What are your hopes and dreams for our community?
Just as we tried to do at the high school, we wanted to maintain worthwhile traditions while on a mission of continual improvement. I think that is a good plan for a city like South Pasadena. There needs to be a finger on the pulse of traditions that work while also wrestling with the history of non-inclusivity. In working with the Anti-Bias Club at SPHS, we tried to bring awareness and change so that we can move forward in a positive way that honors all people.
What do you think makes South Pasadena so special?
One of the many special features of South Pasadena is that there is a generational continuity with many people returning to raise their families here. At the same time, there is a huge sense of pride among those not native to SP who have chosen this as their home and contribute to supporting the schools and their neighbors.
Some Fun Stuff!
What is the last show you binged? What show(s) are you hooked on right now?
I just finished Shrinking, and I'm waiting for a few more episodes to launch before starting the last season of Succession. I've been waiting for that!
What are your top three favorite MOVIES?
The Graduate speaks well to a certain zeitgeist. I also like TBS because I can see things that range from the Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies like Pillow Talk to the Saturday Film Noir line-up. My tastes are a bit eclectic.
What are your top three favorite SONGS?
For some reason, Moondance, Moon River, and Funkytown come to mind. Even though they're all oldies, they have fun connections for me.
What is your favorite band? What is your favorite album?
I'm not sure I have a favorite band, but lately, I've been on a real streak of listening to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the Traveling Wilburys.
What is your favorite holiday? Favorite season? Or even a favorite date in general?
I've always liked Martin Luther King, Jr. Day because it was the first holiday declared for someone I experienced in my lifetime and he was such an important figure in working to obtain universal civil rights.
Help spread the word and celebrate our Legend! Download the images below to share as posts and/or stories on social media and congratulate our Legend and share their story with our community! Be sure to tag @LegendsofSouthPasadena so that we can shout out your post on our social media.
