Spotlight on David Campos: Discovering Purpose in the Magic of Special Education

By Emily Wiley

When you walk through the doors of Sunrise School, you’re greeted by genuine smiles and enthusiastic high-fives. There are students skipping, pedaling adaptive tricycles, and spinning on sensory swings. Colorful artwork decorates the halls and picture schedules guide their days. Principal David Campos knows every name, every hope, every challenge, and every victory worth celebrating.

Sunrise School, along with Mon Valley School and Pathfinder School, are dedicated to the academic, social, and vocational development of students with disabilities. It takes a passionate team of educators to teach these students. In the case of Campos, his passion was revealed through experience.

“I wasn’t someone who knew when I was five that I wanted to be a teacher,” he admitted. After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Campos worked as a TSS (therapeutic support staff) in a special education school. That experience was his first exposure to education – and it changed everything.

“It opened a door I didn’t even know existed,” he said. “I saw what those teachers were doing, how they helped the kids, and I just knew I had to be a part of it.”

That realization led Campos back to school, where he earned his master’s in education and certification in special education, and eventually his principal certification. His career has included a series of roles: emotional support teacher, learning support teacher, assistant principal, and building principal. Following more than 25 years in administration at Riverside Beaver County and Deer Lakes school districts, he was ready to return to his roots.

“I’d gotten further from what brought me into education in the first place,” he explained. “When the opportunity at Sunrise School came up, it felt like the right time and the right position to get back to special ed.”

Rediscovering Purpose

Campos is two years into his role as principal at Sunrise School, and he has rediscovered purpose through a familiar passion.

“There’s something about the connection you build with these kids,” he reflected. “They just have this love of life. It sounds corny, but they’re happy to be here. There’s a joy that fills the building.”

Like any school principal, Campos wears many hats. His mornings often begin with the logistical puzzle of ensuring every classroom has the coverage it needs. He must make time for meetings, paperwork, and management tasks. But he prioritizes time with students.

“Being out of the office, just walking the halls and saying hello, it matters,” he said. “When things get busy, emails can wait. Being there for the people is what keeps this building running.”

Campos is quick to acknowledge that he is one small wheel in a big machine. “Whether it's a teacher, a paraprofessional, a custodian, or a secretary —everyone is engaging with the students,” he said. He may be just one component of the school’s engine, but without Campos, it wouldn’t run. His guidance steers the entire school community forward. He leads with a magic touch—and sometimes a mischievous grin.

Making Magic

Campos admits that he is not capable of saying “no” to any idea that has the potential to spark joy in students.

“At Deer Lakes, they threw pies in my face, shaved my head, and taped me to the wall,” he laughs. “I’ve gotten involved in a lot of things, but one I have loved the most is sitting in the case as the Elf on the Shelf.”

The tradition began years ago with Mikayla Nolfi, a special education teacher at Sunrise School. She was eager to hand over the reins to the principal last school year. The costume—and character—fit Campos perfectly.

In December, the Elf appeared inside the case in the main lobby of the school. Campos kept a straight face while students and staff members laughed all around him. Throughout the month, he made his rounds through Sunrise School, showing up in surprising places—like in the driver’s seat of the custodian’s tractor.

“They announced that the tractor was missing, and asked if the kids could go look for it,” he recalled. “And I was riding the tractor around the parking lot.” The mischief continued into the month of March with the arrival of Larry the Leprechaun. He stole homework and basketballs from students. “These traditions may seem small, but they bring so much excitement,” Campos said. “For our kids, the magic is real.”

Looking Ahead

As Sunrise School continues to grow and evolve, Campos remains focused on what brought him back to special education in the first place.

“Connection, trust, joy—these aren’t just feel-good words. They’re what makes this place work,” he says. “If I can help a student have a better day, help a parent feel reassured, or support a teacher through a tough moment, then I’m doing my job.”

And after 27 years in education, it’s clear that Campos isn’t just doing the job— he’s fulfilling his passion.