2013
November 15, 2013
TO: News Editor/News Director
CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road
P.O. Box 39
Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paprincipals.org
RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT
Dr. William T. Ziegler Named President of State Principals’ Association
(Harrisburg, Pa.) — William T. Ziegler, Ed.D., principal of Pottsgrove High School in the Pottsgrove School District, was recently named President of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.
PA Principals Association’s membership of approximately 3,800 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Dr. Ziegler assumed his new position on PA Principals Association’s Board of Directors following the association’s annual business meeting held October 29, 2013 during its 21st annual state conference held in State College.
“I’m honored with the opportunity to serve principals in Pennsylvania. I firmly believe that principals are the most important leaders in our nation. More than ever, principals are faced with increasing demands, less resources, and increasingly complex challenges to resolve. As a result, PA Principals Association is an association committed to equipping principals with the tools to be leaders who strengthen student achievement at all levels and lead through the changing educational landscape,” said Dr. Ziegler.
Dr. Ziegler began his education career in 1994 as a social studies teacher at Pottstown High School in the Pottstown School District. From 1998-2002, he served as the assistant principal of Pottstown High School in the Pottstown School District, and from 2002-2007, he served as the assistant principal of Pottsgrove High School in the Pottsgrove School District. He was the principal of Pottsgrove Middle School from 2007-2013 before assuming the principalship of Pottsgrove High School.
Dr. Ziegler has been a member of PA Principals Association/NASSP for 12 years. Most recently, he served as treasurer on the PA Principals Association Board of Directors (2010-2012). He currently acts as the chairperson of the PA Principals Association Mini-Grant Selection Committee and he also served on the board as the East III Secondary Regional Representative. In addition, he served on the NASSP Publications Advisory Council from 2007-2009 and presented at the NASSP National Conference in 2003
and 2005.
Dr. Ziegler is active in his community as well. He was president of the Montgomery County Principals Association from 2008-2010, and currently serves on the board of Trinity Church and is the media director for Christian Educators Association International. Additionally, he volunteers his time to teach GED classes to parents in the Pottsgrove community.
Dr. Ziegler has been an adjunct professor in graduate education at Temple University since 2007 and has served as a representative for NASSP on the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Congressional Panel for the E-RATE Program. In addition, he published the article, “Developing Teacher Leadership Capacity,” in NASSP’s Principal Leadership magazine in April 2012. His articles have been published in Principal Leadership multiple times.
According to Dr. Ziegler, “PA Principals Association has a rich history of serving principals through instructional leadership, legal updates, Act 93 agreement consultation, professional liability insurance, strong professional development opportunities and a partnership with NAESP and NASSP. PA Principals Association is a voice for principals and education on state and federal levels in regards to educational legislation.”
Dr. Ziegler received a bachelor of science degree in education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in education from Gratz College and his Ed.D. in educational leadership from Temple University. He received his Principal’s Certificate from The Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Ziegler resides in Boyertown, Pa., with his wife, Kim, and their two children.
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November 15, 2013
TO: News Editor/News Director
CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road
P.O. Box 39
Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT
Jacqueline Clarke Havrilla Named President-Elect of State Principals’ Association
(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Jacqueline Clarke Havrilla, principal of Evans Elementary School in the Spring-Ford Area School District, was recently named President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.
PA Principals Association’s membership of approximately 3,800 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Havrilla assumed her new position on PA Principals Association’s Board of Directors following the association’s annual business meeting held October 29, 2013 during its 21st annual state conference held in State College.
“I am honored to serve as president-elect of PA Principals Association which serves all principals in Pennsylvania. As principals, we face an ever-changing world; PA Principals Association is the organization that provides the support and professional development needed to guide our staff to be able to provide students with 21st-century skills.”
Havrilla began her education career in 1973 as an elementary school teacher at Turnpike Elementary School in the Sullivan County School District. After 21 years with Turnpike Elementary School, she became the assistant principal at Schuylkill Valley Intermediate/Middle School in the Schuylkill Valley School District from 1994-1995. She then went on to serve as assistant principal of Schuylkill Elementary School from 1995-1997 and principal of Schuylkill Elementary School from 1997-2002. From 2002-2007, she was the principal of Limerick Elementary School in the Spring-Ford Area School District before assuming the principalship at Evans Elementary School, also in the Spring-Ford Area School District.
Havrilla has been a member of PA Principals Association/NASSP for 19 years. She most recently served as the East III Elementary Regional Representative on the PA Principals Association Board of Directors from 2010-2013. She is also a member of the PA Principals Association Select Staff Development Committee and served as a moderator for the NAESP Convention in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Havrilla is also a member of the Montgomery County Principals’ Association. She is a member of the Spring-Ford Area School District Supervision, Professional Development and Safety Committees. In addition, she previously served as the chairperson for the Language Arts K-8 Curriculum Committee in the Schuylkill Valley School District.
Havrilla received a bachelor of arts degree in early childhood education from Point Park University. She also earned a master’s degree in secondary guidance and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Scranton. She received her school administration certification (K-12) from Bucknell University.
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October 11, 2013
TO: News Editor/News Director
CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road
P.O. Box 39
Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paprincipals.org
www.paprincipals.org
RELEASE: UPON RECEIPT
State and National Education Leaders To Convene in State College
(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 400 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors, school-related vendors and other education leaders will convene in State College for the 21st annual state conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association) to be held October 27-29, 2013 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
“This year’s conference once again provides administrators opportunities to engage in professional development that puts teaching and learning at the forefront of each experience. Attendees will gain skills and knowledge through a number of venues including workshops, trainings, seminars and presentations from national and international keynote speakers. As a member of PA Principals Association, and as an attendee at our conferences, I look forward to the opportunity to network with fellow administrators across the state in an effort to learn and grow as a professional,” said Curtis E. Johnson, 2013 conference committee chairperson.
A few of the awards to be given out at the conference include the National Distinguished Principal and the Assistant, Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. These will be given during PA Principals Association’s 29th annual banquet from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013 (President’s Hall).
In addition to the more than 65 vendors exhibiting their products for schools and classrooms in the Exhibit Hall (President’s Hall, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013), keynote addresses and a multitude of informational breakout sessions will be presented to attendees by three nationally known speakers as well as educators from across the Commonwealth during the 2 ½-day conference. Dr. Todd Whitaker will present “Have You Shifted Your Monkey Today?” on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the First General Session (Dean’s Hall).
On Monday, October 28, Charlotte Danielson will present “Making the Most of Teacher Evaluation” from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at the Second General Session (Dean’s Hall). Also, speaking on Monday is Will Richardson, who will present “Rethinking Education in a World of Ubiquitously Networked, Self-Directed Learners and Makers” from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the Third General Session (Dean’s Hall).
On Tuesday, Oct. 29 at PA Principals Association’s annual business meeting (8:15-9:15 a.m.), PA Principals Association President Kurt J. Nyquist will ‘pass the gavel’ to Dr. William T. Ziegler, principal of Pottsgrove High School in the Pottsgrove School District, Pottstown, Pa., making him the 2013-2014 PA Principals Association president. In addition, Acting PA Secretary of Education, Dr. Carolyn C. Dumaresq, has been invited to speak on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
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Contact: Public Affairs Manager Caroline Hailey at haileyc@nassp.org or 703-860-7280
Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania – Michael Ghilani, principal of Upper St. Clair High School, was honored last week in Washington, DC after being named the Pennsylvania High School Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals. Designated a state winner in the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program, Ghilani was eligible in consideration to be the National Principal of the Year.
As a principal, Ghilani has proven success in involving the local community in the life of the school and has shown an astute awareness of current and emerging issues as well as a passion in improving the school’s learning environment.
Ghilani joined other winning principals from around the nation in DC for the three-day Principals Institute and Awards Gala, held September 18-21.
“NASSP is honored to recognize the outstanding work of Michael Ghilani,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, NASSP executive director. “The Principals Institute was a wonderful chance for us to thank these outstanding educators while giving them the opportunity to speak with their elected officials, grow professionally and learn from and inspire one another.”
During their visit, principals had the chance to meet with their senators and congressmen on Capitol Hill to discuss educational legislation and its potential impact on their schools, partake in a roundtable conversation with representatives from the Department of Education and share and receive best practices with other principals from around the nation.
The Principals Institute concluded on Friday night with the Awards Gala, kicked off by a keynote address from US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Each principal was then invited on stage during the gala to receive their award and be formally recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in their schools.
The event came just before the start of National Principals Month in October.
The search for the national principal of the year began in early 2013 as each state principals’ association selected its state principal of the year. From this pool of state award winners, a panel of judges selected three middle level and three high school finalists, who were then narrowed down to the two national winners, Sheila Harrity (Worcester Technical High School, Worcester, MA) and Sheena Alaiasa (Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School, Kaneohe, HI).
The MetLife/NASSP National Principals of the Year each receive a $5,000 grant, while the four finalists each receive a grant for $1,500. The grants will be used to improve learning at the school (e.g., a special school project and/or professional development).
For more information about the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program and winners, please visit www.nassp.org/POY
To learn more about National Principals Month and ways to celebrate, visit www.principalsmonth.org.
# # #
About NASSP
NASSP is the leading organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and all school leaders from across the United States and more than 38 countries around the world. The association provides research-based professional development and resources, networking, and advocacy to build the capacity of middle level and high school leaders to continually improve student performance. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development as well, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.nassp.org.
About MetLife Resources
MetLife Resources is a division of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”), a MetLife company. MLIC is a subsidiary of MetLife Inc., a leading global provider of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife Inc. holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com/mlr.
Contact: Public Affairs Manager Caroline Hailey at haileyc@nassp.org or 703-860-7280
Allison Park, Pennsylvania – Eric Stennett, principal of Hampton Middle School, was honored last week in Washington, DC after being named the Pennsylvania Middle Level Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals. Designated a state winner in the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program, Stennett was eligible in consideration to be the National Principal of the Year.
As a principal, Stennett has proven success in involving the local community in the life of the school and has shown an astute awareness of current and emerging issues as well as a passion in improving the school’s learning environment.
Stennett joined other winning principals from around the nation in DC for the three-day Principals Institute and Awards Gala, held September 18-21.
“NASSP is honored to recognize the outstanding work of Eric Stennett,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, NASSP executive director. “The Principals Institute was a wonderful chance for us to thank these outstanding educators while giving them the opportunity to speak with their elected officials, grow professionally and learn from and inspire one another.”
During their visit, principals had the chance to meet with their senators and congressmen on Capitol Hill to discuss educational legislation and its potential impact on their schools, partake in a roundtable conversation with representatives from the Department of Education and share and receive best practices with other principals from around the nation.
The Principals Institute concluded on Friday night with the Awards Gala, kicked off by a keynote address from US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Each principal was then invited on stage during the gala to receive their award and be formally recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in their schools.
The event came just before the start of National Principals Month in October.
The search for the national principal of the year began in early 2013 as each state principals’ association selected its state principal of the year. From this pool of state award winners, a panel of judges selected three middle level and three high school finalists, who were then narrowed down to the two national winners, Sheila Harrity (Worcester Technical High School, Worcester, MA) and Sheena Alaiasa (Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School, Kaneohe, HI).
The MetLife/NASSP National Principals of the Year each receive a $5,000 grant, while the four finalists each receive a grant for $1,500. The grants will be used to improve learning at the school (e.g., a special school project and/or professional development).
For more information about the MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program and winners, please visit www.nassp.org/POY
To learn more about National Principals Month and ways to celebrate, visit www.principalsmonth.org.
# # #
About NASSP
NASSP is the leading organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and all school leaders from across the United States and more than 38 countries around the world. The association provides research-based professional development and resources, networking, and advocacy to build the capacity of middle level and high school leaders to continually improve student performance. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development as well, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.nassp.org.
About MetLife Resources
MetLife Resources is a division of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”), a MetLife company. MLIC is a subsidiary of MetLife Inc., a leading global provider of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife Inc. holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com/mlr.
For Immediate Release
January 2, 2013
CONTACT: Sheri L. Thompson
Director of Communications
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Phone)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paprincipals.org
www.paprincipals.org
Joseph P. Acri To Retire from PA Principals Association
(Harrisburg, PA) — The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association) Board of Directors has announced the upcoming retirement of Joseph P. Acri as the assistant executive director, effective June 30, 2013. Mr. Acri has advocated for principals and public education in Harrisburg more than three decades — first as the senior consultant for management services for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association for 17 years, followed by his current position as assistant executive director of PA Principals Association.
Mr. Acri is a Viet Nam veteran who achieved the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He then went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University in business administration, followed by his master’s degree in industrial/labor relations and personnel administration from St. Francis University.
In 1997, Mr. Acri was hired by PA Principals Association. During his tenure, he has worked diligently for association members, while forming effective liaisons with legislators in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) leadership, the State Board of Education and other education associations.
He has been recognized for his professional achievements over the years with the most recent being the Pennsylvania Middle School Association Advocate for Public Education Award in 2011.
Following retirement, Mr. Acri plans to spend more time pursuing his hobby of restoring cars and traveling. He resides in Enola, Pa., with his wife, Rita, a teacher at East Pennsboro School District. They have two grown daughters, Joanna and Jeannine, who are both teachers.