As the school year comes to a close there have been a number of personnel changes approved throughout the Turlock Unified School District for the upcoming academic year, including a new principal for Pitman High School.

The TUSD Board of Trustees approved appointing Janine Arakelian as the new Pitman High principal, effective July 1. She will succeed Angela Freeman, who will be moving to the district office to become the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.

Freeman has been the principal at Pitman for the past seven years.

When asked what she is most proud of during her years at Pitman, Freeman said:

“I am most proud of the connections, relationships, and student-centered hard work that has occurred over the past seven years.  The students, faculty, staff, and families here at Pitman have created a Pride culture where all people belong and want to be here.  Leaving Pitman is bittersweet.  I am excited for the opportunity to challenge myself in a new position.  Pitman is in good hands with the new principal, Janine Arakelian, and team. I know that Pitman will continue to have a student-centered culture and continue to thrive.”

She said the most challenging part of her time at Pitman was the tragic events that happened that took the lives of students, faculty and community members during her time.

As an educator and administrator, Freeman said that “students’ needs and learning styles have changed over the years.  Navigating new technologies has required us educators to continue to grow and learn about how to connect and reach each student in our classroom and the school community. Students want to belong, want to connect with trusted adults, and know that they are cared about; which in return makes them want to learn.”

Arakelian has been working in TUSD since 2002, serving as a substitute teacher. She taught at the elementary level for 12 years until she became an instructional coach. She also served as an assistant principal for three years at Brown and Crowell schools, before becoming principal at Cunningham Elementary from three years. She has been the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Turlock High School since 2022.

Arakelian has a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from Stanislaus State.