Al Friedenberg was the longtime principal of Grant Elementary School, serving from 1995 until his retirement in 2012. A West Los Angeles native and Venice High School graduate, Friedenberg began his career as an elementary-school teacher in Thousand Oaks in 1973 after studying sociology at UCLA. He later moved into school administration before being recruited to Grant, where he would spend the final 17 years of a 39-year career in public education.

At Grant, Friedenberg emphasized making school more engaging and student-centered. During his tenure he helped establish or expand traditions including fifth-grade science camp and theatre productions, talent shows, sports leagues, Jog-a-thons, movie nights and other community events. He was also known for greeting students at the school entrance and personally teaching fourth-graders lessons about law and civic life. Colleagues and parents credited him with strengthening Grant’s reputation for creativity, academic excellence and unusually strong family involvement. When Friedenberg retired in 2012, the school held a community celebration honoring his 17 years of leadership.

Al Friedenberg

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