Photo by Jeff Serpa

By Brian Baiotto

It’s no secret that we live in a time that ‘leaders’ attempt to pit one side against another.

And the consequence of our toxic discourse makes it nearly impossible even for reasonable people to form a consensus on anything, small or large.

However, the Glendora Unified School District bucked that trend this past week.

They’ve made a transitional move that has the unwavering support of Tartans past and present.

Three-sport Glendora athlete and 1985 graduate Rod Tilton is taking over the principal duties beginning Tuesday on an interim basis.

Before going any further, it’s imperative to make crystal clear that no one is celebrating the departure of his predecessor, Dr. Amber Green, who will serve in another role within the GUSD.

By all accounts, Dr. Green is an intelligent, respectful and able leader.

The source of happiness for those of us who walked the halls at GHS or for those who still do, resides in the knowledge that no one could possibly represent the school we love with more passion or be a better fit to lead Glendora High School into the future than Rod Tilton.

Other than ‘Superfan’ Dustin O’Hara, no one bleeds Tartan red quite like Mr. Tilton.

The two adages he utters most often are ‘Tartan 4 Life,’ and ‘it’s a great day to be a Tartan.’

Perhaps he’s so passionate about the school, because he’s been part of the GHS family since Ronald Reagan first moved into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Rod played football and baseball for four years, and he was a member of the basketball program for one season.

Tilton earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of La Verne, and his master’s at Cal Poly Pomona.

Rod was fortunate enough to marry Kelly Williamson, who graduated from GHS in 1987.

They have three children.

Jake, 29, McKayla, 25, and 22-year-old Karley all competed at and graduated from GHS.

Jake Tilton played baseball for the Tartans, and he graduated in 2014.

Glendora went 21-7 that year under the tutelage of Dan Henley, and that included a Palomares League championship.

McKayla Tilton did one year of field hockey and four years of basketball before earning her diploma in 2018.

Karley was a basketball standout who graduated in 2021.

McKayla and Karley also made school history together at GHS.

In the 2017-18 season, and under the leadership of third-year coach Adam Nunemaker, the Tartans won their first league (Palomares) and the program’s first CIF-SS (Division 2A) championship.

Additionally, they secured 32 consecutive wins to start the season, and their only loss was in the CIF State final at Redondo Union.

The Tilton family is so Glendora through and through that even Jake’s wife Kelly Leathers was a 2014 GHS grad who did pep and water polo.

That gets us to Rod and his path to this moment.

Mr. Tilton has spent the last 31 years in the GUSD, and that includes time teaching Special Education next door to this writer’s father.

He was also a math teacher.

And after that, Tilton spent seven years as the Glendora AD/Dean of Students.

He’s served as an assistant principal since 2019.

I wanted to add some personal insight to this story.

In Rod’s senior year (1985), we were separated by a fence.

He roamed center field for the Coach Clint Harwick’s varsity program, and I manned center field for the freshman team.

Shortly thereafter, I got to fill his shoes for Coach Harwick, and I’ve always felt admiration for him.

We didn’t really get to know each other until I launched 210 Prep Sports nearly eight years ago.

It began as just a Facebook page, and he asked me to go through him to contact coaches and athletes for info and quotes.

Rod’s willingness to get me the information and contacts that I’ve needed has been invaluable.

To this day, even seven years after leaving the AD’s office, Mr. Tilton is still more helpful to me than 95-percent of the athletic directors in the 210 Prep Sports coverage zone.

His love for the school and its students and athletes is unmatched.

There have been a number of occasions where he personally reached out via text or a phone call to politely ask me to change, tweak or delete a quote, sentence or even a paragraph.

He’s never taken the bully approach with threats or demands to get the solution he’s desired from stories on my website.

And it wasn’t his way of telling me how to do my job.

It was just one former Tartan asking another, ‘can we please change this,’ in the reasonable hope of protecting an athlete, coach or program at GHS.

For the record, there was one time that I disagreed with what he wanted, and Rod understood and moved on.

One of Tilton’s greatest traits is his willingness to do anything he can to support students in the classroom and on the playing field/court.

However, don’t mistake his unconditional love for all things Glendora as a weakness, because Tilton will be the first to hold GHS students, staff and even himself accountable when egregious mistakes or actions have occurred.

Helping teens learn from their transgressions, and using their mistakes or bad behavior as life lessons is paramount to Mr. Tilton.

What separates Rod from so many of his peers isn’t his love of sports.

Most of the area principals are big sports fans.

However, unlike many, Mr. Tilton is just as excited about the success of Glendora’s minor sports, and he delivers the same rabid support for its athletes/coaches as most only give to baseball, basketball and football.

The greatest compliment I could give Mr. Tilton are the words that came from an assigner after the Tartans won their first CIF-SS STUNT championship in 2025.

“More area schools would win CIF championships if their programs received the support and passion Glendora gets from Rod Tilton,” she said.

Perhaps the most special part is that his mother Marion is still around to celebrate this monumental accomplishment with Rod and his family.

At the bottom of this story, there are quotes from GHS parents, athletes and Tilton’s peers.

Lastly, without him knowing this, I asked his three kids to answer the following questions:
1) How happy are you that he got this opportunity? 2) Why do you think he’ll do well as the GHS principal? 3) And what makes you most proud to be his son/daughter?

Said Jake Tilton: “I’m super happy for him. He’s put so much time and effort into GHS for so many years and it’s great to finally see it paid off. I know he’ll do well because he works hard and cares about GHS and the people there. What makes me most proud to be his son is to see the impact he’s had on so many people. We don’t go anywhere without him seeing someone he knows and they’re always so happy to catch up with him.”

Said Karley Tilton: “I am beyond excited for my dad to receive this opportunity. It’s something he has worked toward his entire career. Since graduating from GHS, he has dedicated himself to coaching and serving students, staying true to his passion every step of the way. Seeing his hard work pay off means so much to me. He has always been a strong leader. As an athletic director, he guided coaches and athletes to be their best, and as an assistant principal, he stepped up in whatever way was needed. As an educator myself, I believe relationships are the foundation of any successful school. He builds meaningful relationships with staff, coaches, parents, students, and custodians. He leads by truly knowing the people he serves and genuinely cares about the campus and its community. He has never given up and always does his best, no matter the circumstances. He takes the high road and works hard to support the people he cares about. Most importantly, he has taught me how to be an educator who goes beyond the classroom — to care for students in ways that truly make a difference. No matter the situation, I am always proud to say he is my dad.”

Said McKayla Tilton: “I’m incredibly proud and happy for him. GHS has shaped so much of who he is, and it’s meaningful to see him step into this role after serving the school in so many different ways. He’s always said, ‘It’s a great day to be a Tartan,’ and this really feels like one of those days. I know he’ll do well because he genuinely cares about people. He doesn’t just see students as numbers or staff as positions, he sees them as people, and he takes time to listen. He also understands this community deeply. Having been a student, coach, teacher, athletic director, and assistant principal, he brings both experience and heart to the role. He forms deep connections with people and puts in the effort to build trust. He leads with integrity, works hard, and shows up consistently, even when no one is watching. What makes me most proud to be his daughter is the way he genuinely cares for everyone. He treats students, teachers, janitors, campus aides, and parents with the same respect and dignity. He forms deep, meaningful connections with people, and I see the effort and intentionality it takes to do that well. He’s always lived out ‘Tartan for life’ in the way he loves this community. Who he is at school is who he is at home, loving, present, and intentional with the people in front of him.”

The following email was sent to parents and students last week:

Quotable:

Former San Dimas assistant principal, Jack Nance: “The life of a high school administrator is long hours and high stress. It’s important to have a friend in the field that could understand and Rod Tilton is that to me. There are many times Glendora and San Dimas were opponents. It was nice having Rod on the Glendora side for support in times of need and also for some fun banter. He is a Glendora Tartan through and through. Glendora will be in great hands. Congratulations Glendora on picking a great man.”

Bonita principal, Kenny Ritchie: “Rod loves Glendora High School and he is a huge advocate for the students and staff of GHS. I look forward to working with him as he enters into his new role.”

Longtime Covina teacher, football & track coach, Kevin Glaspy: “Rod Tilton is a cornerstone of the Glendora community. He’s always been great to work with as an AD and is always doing the right thing. I’m happy to call him a colleague and he will continue to do great things for Glendora HS.”

Former Ayala athletic director, Warren Reed: “I am confident that Rod Tilton will thrive as interim principal. More importantly, I believe the entire school community will thrive alongside him. He is a man of integrity and strong moral character who genuinely cares about students, staff, and families. His love for Glendora High School and the community it serves is evident in everything he does, and I believe that commitment will make a meaningful difference.”

GHS girls’ basketball coach, Adam Nunemaker: “I have appreciated every principal that has served at GHS while I’ve been here. And I feel strongly that the school will thrive under Mr. Tilton’s leadership. He hired me 11 years ago to take over the girls’ basketball program, and he has been a mentor to me ever since. He has given me great advice, listened and been hands off at the right times.  He has been our biggest supporter and much of the success of the program can be traced back to his leadership.”

GHS parent and alum, Bobby Baeza: “Mr. Tilton embodies the qualities necessary for educational success at GHS, ensuring every initiative benefits the learning and well-being of our students. Beyond his remarkable integrity, his unparalleled accessibility ensures that parents and students always feel heard and supported. He is the heart and soul of Glendora High School and, without a doubt, the ultimate Tartan. Stepping into this role as interim Principal, I believe he will have the full support of the teachers, parents and the community.”

GHS parent, Mark Luera: “As a Glendora resident for more than two decades now, I’d always take my kids out to the games. Whether it was football, basketball or baseball with my son Marko or volleyball or girls’ basketball with my daughter Milana. Mr. Tilton has been a regular face and such a big part of the ride through the years. He represents everything that’s good about Glendora. There couldn’t be a better person to be leading our high school. My wife, Katie, and I don’t consider Rod just an administrator, we consider this man family. God bless him on his journey.”

GHS parent and photographer, Carlo Montalbo: “I want to congratulate Rod for becoming the new principal at Glendora. Rod’s commitment to excellence and his unwavering advocacy for the students define the absolute best of GHS. It is a well-deserved honor. No one bleeds Tartan Red quite like Rod. Current and future GHS students will benefit because of this, and they are lucky to have him at the helm.”

GHS superfan, Dustin O’Hara: “Rod is a great guy. He’s very kind, helpful and a positive-spirited man. He is a Tartan through and through, and he will continue to lead the strong Glendora tradition through the Pride of the Foothills. I’m very happy that he’s the new principal. I’ve known Rod and his daughter McKayla for a very long time, and I always enjoyed seeing them together.”

GHS girls’ basketball all-time leading scorer, Rylie Anderson: “Mr. Tilton is one of the most inspirational, supportive, and humble leaders I know. He constantly interacts with students and intentionally builds relationships with them during nutrition and lunch. He isn’t just someone to lead from an office, rather he leads by being present. Having Mr. Tilton as my vice principal was truly a blessing. He consistently showed his support by attending my basketball games and cheering me on. His presence meant more than just watching a game, it showed that he cares about his students both inside and outside of school. He leads with great encouragement and kindness, and he makes students feel valued and seen. Mr. Tilton sets a strong example of what true leadership looks like through his actions and the way he supports those around him.”

GHS two-sport athlete, Aidan Yamazaki: “I think that Mr. Tilton is a great high-character man that obviously cares a lot about Glendora and the students as well. It is always nice to see him supporting all Glendora sports and activities and it is very apparent that he has a very positive impact in the community. I think he will do great things as the Glendora High principal.”

GHS two-sport athlete, Tanner Grable: “​I am super excited for Mr. Tilton to become the principal. He has always been a very supportive and uplifting guy. He is a great leader, and I have no doubt he will do a great job. He always brings so much support to the student body, and he shows up to almost every event.”

Former GHS pitcher, Race Gardner: “I’ve had the unique privilege of being around Coach Tilton for most of my life. I was the same age as his son Jake, and my younger brother Rider went to the same babysitter as Rod’s younger children. In fact, he was my flag football coach when I was 7 or 8. He was always the funny coach, the one with the dry humor that everyone would tend to drift towards. I could tell at a young age how passionate he was about sports of all kinds, as that passion would intensify (a little) when he would step into his coaching role. Growing older, I still get the privilege of seeing Mr. Tilton on occasion. That unwavering passion for sports is still present, as he’s constantly supporting GHS athletics, on the road or at home. It has also been fun to see his new passion, his kids and all their new grown-up lives. He lights up anytime he talks about one of them, which is nice to see instead of seeing him call one of them a “goof.” All in all, Rod Tilton is an extremely positive impact on Glendora High School and the Glendora Unified School District as a whole, and I am truly thankful for all he has done for GHS athletics.”