In 2003, newly named Burbank High School Principal Bruce Osgood hired an assistant principal by the name of Hani Youssef. Eight years later, that same assistant principal is poised to take over for his boss and mentor, who announced his departure in March.
Born in Egypt and raised in Los Angeles, the 39-year-old Youssef earned his bachelor’s degree from Cal State Northridge in 1995, and his master’s degree and administrative credential from Mount St. Mary’s College in 2000. He taught English at the middle school and high school levels, and served as an administrator in the Los Angeles Unified and the Conejo Unified school districts before landing at Burbank Unified in 2003.
The Burbank Leader sat down with Youssef, who formally takes over as principal on July 1, to discuss his predecessor’s legacy, and his own plans for the school.
Megan O’Neil: What originally drew you to Burbank Unified?
Hani Youssef: Burbank obviously is known for its education. When [my family] was first looking for a home, we wanted to live in Burbank specifically to send our kids to the Burbank schools. When that didn’t happen, I still had my eyes on the school system for how small it is, how successful it is. I was very interested in the demographics as well; the majority of it wasn’t one demographic at all — it seemed to be a lot more mixed. That really drew my attention.
