Administrative Services
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 Nikole Laubham, principal of Divine Mercy Academy.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Laubham: Divine Mercy Academy is an amazing school that has overcome much adversity over the past six year due to a school merger followed by the pandemic. Our school has an incredible vibe that is felt the moment you walk through our doors.
What do you love about being a principal?
Laubham: I love being able to interact with ALL of the students every day!
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Laubham: The future of education is something that is rapidly changing with the increased technology we see every day. We need to maintain the key elements, however, so that we can still focus on the teaching and learning taking place within our classrooms.
This week’s featured Q&A is with Dr. Doug Szokoly, principal of Cornell High School in the Cornell School district.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Dr. Szokoly: Cornell School District is a tremendous place to work because of the overall size of the district. We are a small school district that typically graduated approximately 40 students per year and given that number, I am able to get to know each and every one of these students on a personal level.
What do you love about being a principal?
Dr. Szokoly: I enjoy being a principal because of the significant impact I can have on students’ lives and the opportunity to build a strong school community. Knowing that my efforts contribute to students’ growth and success, and fostering a positive and inclusive environment for everyone in the school, are the aspects I find most rewarding.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Dr. Szokoly: I think the future of education looks to be trending in a positive direction. A lot of focus is being placed on personalized learning, blended/hybrid learning, equity and inclusion and an emphasis on lifelong learning to name a few. Creating an environment for our students that focuses on these trends, the future of education will be dynamic and adaptive to the changing world around us.
This week’s featured Q&A is with Jennifer Cavalancia, principal of Curtisville Primary Center in Deer Lakes School District.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Cavalancia: Curtisville Primary Center continuously provides a personalized learning community for our young learners focused on collaboration, communication, wellness, creativity, and empowered citizenship. Through the development of collaborative teams, we find success in the areas of school-wide PBIS implementation, social/emotional instructional routines, building level wellness initiatives, kindergarten transition planning, and full integration of RTII/MTSS data analysis and intervention planning.
What do you love about being a principal?
Cavalancia: I often say that I am lucky that I get to do this work each day. To have the opportunity to be directly involved with the growth/development of the individual children and to strive toward meeting their fullest potential is the greatest reward for me. I enjoy working closely with staff to maintain an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Cavalancia: In my opinion, the future of education will continue to embrace personalized learning to enhance skill development while maintaining a focus on social-emotional development. We will work to strengthen critical thinking skills, collaborative efforts, and the ever-changing integration of technology.
This week’s featured Q&A is with Jeff Rojik, principal of Burchfield Primary School in the Shaler Area School District.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Dr. Rojik: The staff is the most amazing, creative, selfless, and dedicated group of people. They ‘feed off’ of the great things that the other buildings in the district are doing. It is such a sense of community because of the teamwork with our teachers, support staff, paraprofessionals, custodians, and families.
What do you love about being a principal?
Dr. Rojik: I love having the ability to see individual student growth (academically, socially and emotionally) over the course of four years. There is an opportunity to create life-long relationships with the students and families.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Dr. Rojik: It looks like it will be in a state of constant change. With the obvious advancements in technology, the content is continuously being streamlined so that it is very individualized and challenging for each child. The environment in which students learn will also look differently. Whether it be physical differences in the classroom or the continual move towards student centered learning, these will be noticeable changes. We are also seeing the need to further our involvement with every aspect of student/family needs. Assisting with behavioral health, food scarcity, and a variety of other stressors that impact student learning are things that we can assist.
This week’s featured Q&A is with Dr. Stan Whiteman, principal of Highlands Elementary School.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Dr. Whiteman: Highlands Elementary School is a place where a love for learning and a sense of community thrive. The dedicated and passionate teachers foster an environment that encourages curiosity and creativity, ensuring every student feels supported and motivated. We are a school that embodies PBIS (positive behavior interventions and supports) and we embrace #bethekindkid everyday! The active involvement of parents and the local community further enriches the school experience, making Highlands Elementary School a nurturing and dynamic place where children can truly flourish.
What do you love about being a principal?
Dr. Whiteman: Being an elementary principal is incredibly fulfilling because it allows me to make a difference in the lives of young learners every day. I cherish the opportunity to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where children feel safe and inspired to explore their potential. Witnessing the excitement on students’ faces when they grasp a new concept or the joy they express in their achievements is immensely rewarding. Additionally, collaborating with dedicated teachers and staff to implement innovative educational strategies and foster a strong sense of community is both challenging and exhilarating. Each day brings new opportunities to impact students’ growth making this the best job ever!
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Dr. Whiteman: The future of education is poised to be transformative, driven by technological advancements and an evolving understanding of effective teaching and learning methods. Personalized learning will become the norm, leveraging AI to tailor education to individual student needs and pacing. Hybrid models combining in-person and virtual classrooms will offer flexibility and accessibility, bridging gaps in education equity. Emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy will prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Collaboration between educators, technology experts, and policymakers will be essential to navigate and harness these changes, ensuring that education remains relevant and empowering for all learners.