Celebrating the
2024 Pens MVPs
Presented by the
AIU and Grable Foundation
Welcome to the Pens Most Valuable Principals Hall of Fame! Come back each week this fall for a fresh Q&A with one of our most recent Pens MVPs.
In 2024, each of these 15 regional principals were honored at a Pens game, received a Pens prize pack, customized jersey, and a $1,000 donation to their school for a project of their choosing.
Stay tuned for details on the nomination process for the 2025 Class of Pittsburgh Penguins MVPs!
2024 Honorees
Dr. Deidra Stepko
Chartiers Valley SD
Dr. Doug Szokoly
Cornell SD
Jennifer Cavalancia
Deer Lakes SD
Robert Childs
Nikole Laubham
Robert Reese
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Cory Sakolsky
Dr. Stan Whiteman
Highlands SD
Dr. Gina Mahouski
Mt. Lebanon SD
Dr. Jamie Eimiller
North Allegheny SD
Nicole Smith
Northgate SD
Dr. Deborah Riccobelli
Quaker Valley SD
Jeff Rojik
Shaler Area SD
Dr. Kevin Maurer
South Fayette Township SD
Dr. Tim Wagner
Upper St. Clair SD
This week’s featured Q&A is with Dr. Tim Wagner, principal of Upper St. Clair High School.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Dr. Wagner: Upper St. Clair High School has three arched entrances — one for academics, one for the arts, and one for athletics. We believe that these three areas interact and rely on one another in important ways. Our school community also believes that students should be supported in all aspects of their academic, artistic, and athletic lives. When young people find engaging and meaningful ways to be involved in school, healthy development ensues.
What do you love about being a principal?
Dr. Wagner: As a principal, I have the unique opportunity to interact with individual students on a daily basis, but also to consider programs and systems that influence nearly 1,400 students and staff members. From celebrating individual accomplishments to considering new courses and programs that elevate our entire organization, I am proud to spend my professional life with the students, families, and staff at Upper St. Clair High School.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Dr. Wagner: Public education has long been a mechanism for sustaining our democracy. The critical skills and knowledge that students acquire through a positive school experience will always be invaluable. While the ways that teachers deliver content or assess growth & mastery may change over time, particularly as a result of technological advancements, the fundamental need for cognitive development to happen through guided inquiry and social interaction must always characterize our schools — and I believe in the future it will. I’m excited to see how our schools will continue to serve as a foundational support for our country.
Our first featured Q&A is with Dr. Gina Mahouski, principal of Andrew Mellon Middle School in the Mt. Lebanon School District.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Dr. Mahouski: We pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where every student is valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Our dedicated team of educators goes above and beyond to create engaging and innovative lessons that spark curiosity and ignite a passion for learning in our students. Our ‘Mellon Mindset’ PBIS program has created a culture of leadership, engagement, belonging, and ownership and has brought our school community together in a positive way. At Mellon, we believe that every child has the ability to succeed, and we are committed to providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
What do you love about being a principal?
Dr. Mahouski: Watching students grow and succeed academically, socially, and emotionally is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the job. I also think being a principal in a middle school is the hidden gem of all principal positions because students are still kids when they arrive and then progressively gain their independence as they move through each grade. It’s a really fun age to work with because there are so many opportunities to help students grow.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Dr. Mahouski: I do not foresee the foundation of education changing, as we will always make educational decisions with the best interest of the students at heart. However, I feel that the integration of innovative digital tools, such as artificial intelligence, will impact how learning occurs. I believe that learning will continue to grow to be more flexible to accommodate diverse learning styles and that the need for lifelong learning will become increasingly important with a greater emphasis on cross-cultural competence.