A new face has been welcoming students to the Pitman High School campus over the past handful of weeks. Whether it was at the introductory Pathway to Pride for incoming freshmen at the start of the month, roundup in the days that followed, or Tuesday’s first day of school, Janine Arakelian has enjoyed her new role.
“It's just been a really lovely experience so far,” said Arakelian, who in April was appointed as Pitman’s next principal. “I've had great experiences in my career, but I just feel so invigorated. The energy level is so good.”
Arakelian succeeds Angela Freeman, who moved to the district office over the summer to become the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. Arakelian’s most recent position within the Turlock Unified School District was Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Turlock High School, a role she had served in since 2022.
“It’s obviously a new school, lots of new faces in terms of the students and the staff,” Arakelian said. “The funny thing is, you hear a lot of these names, you even email with them about certain things, but sometimes you don’t know what they look like or really get to know them.
“Tuesday morning, when all the students got here, it was just really such a welcoming, pleasant environment. I’ve been trying to find the words to describe it. I used the word ‘magic’ this morning in an email I sent to staff.”
Arakelian officially took the helm at PHS on July 1. Prior to her role at Turlock High, she has served in a number of capacities within TUSD, beginning in 2002. She primarily taught third and fourth grades for 12 years until becoming an instructional coach. She also served as an assistant principal for three years at Brown and Crowell schools, before becoming principal at Cunningham Elementary for three years.
“Gradually climbing, starting in elementary, that foundation set me up for success. Turlock High really helped me with the transition from working with small kids to, you know, young adults. I wouldn’t be here without that experience,” she said. “When they're younger at the elementary level, you’re with these students the whole day, really walking them through things. Now, they can communicate clearly, advocate on their own behalf, and really see them get ready for the world after high school. And seeing the difference and how these students are blossoming is a real rewarding feeling.”
Arakelian’s passion for education began when she was in high school, volunteering with the city of Turlock’s after-school and summer programs. Her last two years as an undergraduate at UC Santa Barbara, she worked for a nonprofit that provided similar resources for young children. She later earned her Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from Stanislaus State.
Arakelian has been reciprocating the welcoming energy through her first week.
“The administrative team, we had a goal our first day to be in every classroom, and we did it,” she said. “We got to go into every classroom that day, and it was a quick minimum day too. It was good to be in there to hear the things that the teachers are doing with the kids, what the kids are engaging in. Some really cool teamwork and team building.
“I’d like for my weekly goal to be visiting in every classroom at least once a week. And I know my schedule is going to fill up and I know you know things are going to arise. This week is kind of like the honeymoon period where nobody really knows who you are yet, and we’re all getting adjusted… But I’m ready to get out there and keep focusing on being involved with the kids, in the classrooms, during lunches, their activities, all of it. I think it’ll all be a lot of fun.”
