As Principal Deb Smith sets off for retirement, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School’s new principal is Pia Damonte.

“I am thrilled and honored that I am going to be your new principal,” Damonte said. “I have worked with Daniel Pearl for the last four years as a counseling coordinator and I have always known that it’s a school that promotes respect, diversity and understanding to all.”

Damonte has been working with the Los Angeles Unified School District for over 19 years in a variety of roles. She has been a pre-kindergarten-12 counseling coordinator at Local District Northwest since 2015 and previously she was the assistant principal at Taft High School. Prior to her administrative roles, she was a Spanish teacher at Polytechnic High School from 2001 to 2013.

“I love being able to help and support my schools and the staff I work with,” Damonte said. “I am very grateful for all of the opportunities I have had while in education.”

To become eligible for a principal position, Damonte had to go through the Aspiring Principals Program. The program was able to prepare her with all of the necessary training and credentials she needed to become a principal.

“My desire is to serve as a facilitator for improvement,” Damonte said. “The experiences in the multiple roles I have had over the last 19 years in education have provided me with a strong instructional background, extensive knowledge of state and district policy with a wide range of resources to support a school’s vision and goals.”