Pearl Arredondo

Pearl Arredondo is a pioneering educational leader who co-founded the San Fernando Institute for Applied Media (SFiAM), the first pilot middle school in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Raised in the challenging neighborhood of Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles, Arredondo was bussed to schools nearly an hour away to access better educational opportunities, a decision influenced by her mother, a longtime LAUSD office secretary who understood the barriers facing public school students. Arredondo was the first in her family to attend college, earning both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Education and Instructional Leadership from Pepperdine University, which laid the foundation for her career in education.

Arredondo began her teaching career at San Fernando Middle School, where she launched the Multimedia Academy, a program that provided enhanced educational opportunities for 350 low-income students. Driven by a mission to close the digital divide and improve outcomes for historically underserved students, she helped lead the transformation of this program into a fully independent school in 2010. The San Fernando Institute for Applied Media, established under a pilot reform model, became the first of its kind in LAUSD, focusing on technology development and strengthening educational opportunities for middle school students.

Recognized nationally for her innovative approach to education, Arredondo has been featured in TED Talks Education, People Magazine, and the short documentary film "TEACHED Vol.1: 'The Blame Game.'" She has also served as a Teach Plus Policy Fellow, consulting with President Obama’s advisors on education reform, and has received numerous accolades, including the Inspirational Teacher Award and being named California Woman of the Year.

Arredondo remains a passionate advocate for educational equity and innovation. Recently, she discussed new approaches to education with Jeff Rose of Cognia, further demonstrating her dedication to advancing reform and empowering students. As a role model for young Latinas, she continues to inspire others by breaking barriers and creating opportunities for the next generation.