SD
Dr. Suritsky Appointed Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Sharon Suritsky earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Penn State University in 1983. After graduation, she began her special education teaching career with the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29 and worked as the first IU district-based special education teacher at Mahanoy Area High School. During her four years of teaching, Dr. Suritsky earned her master’s degree in special education from Bloomsburg University. In 1988, she resigned her special education teaching position and enrolled in a full-time special education doctoral program at Penn State. After completing her doctoral program, Dr. Suritsky worked as an assistant professor in special education for two years. During that time, she taught graduate and undergraduate courses, published journal articles, and presented at state and national conferences. She remained at Penn State through 1992 before moving to Pittsburgh. Dr. Suritsky began working as an educational supervisor at the Pittsburgh’s Wesley Highland School in August 1992 and continued in that role before beginning her career at Upper St. Clair School District in October 1996. She was hired as Upper St. Clair’s Supervisor of Special Education by Drs. William Pope and Catherine Luke. She served in this role exclusively until 2009 when she also began to work as the acting assistant to the superintendent. Dr. Suritsky has been a staunch supporter of students with disabilities and their families. In February 2012, Dr. Suritsky became Assistant Superintendent of Schools. Dr. O’Toole stated, “During Dr. Suritsky’s tenure with the School District, she has created a dynamic special education department and has been a key member of the administrative leadership team. She has been instrumental in creating leadership
development initiatives and is well respected by the administrative staff.” Dr. Suritsky stated, “After working in the special education field that I have loved for the past 15 and a half years, I am looking forward to my new role as assistant superintendent.” Colleen Czekaj, USC’s special education curriculum leader, has worked closely with Dr. Suritsky for the past 16 years. Dr. Sharon Suritsky Czekaj describes Dr. Suritsky as an innovative leader who is able to cultivate the staff’s strengths and help each individual develop his or her talents to make the most positive contributions to students, families, and the District. She states, “I’m thrilled for Dr. Suritsky in her new position and for the opportunity it will provide for her to impact the entire District. Dr. Suritsky has been a phenomenal role model for me and has taught me the importance of having high expectations, but always approaching each person with respect, empathy, and a high regard for his or her value.” Dr. Suritsky lives with her family in Mt. Lebanon. She loves to walk and enjoys tinkering with home projects and traveling. n
Supporting Our Schools Liz Hall, USC Director of Development
The financial challenges faced by the Upper St. Clair School District require a certain degree of collaboration with community partners. Following are two opportunities for parents, residents, and local businesses to come together to support our schools. Mark Your Calendar! The second annual “Celebrate Our Schools” gala—sponsored by the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair in partnership with the Upper St. Clair School District—will be held on Saturday, October 20 at St. Clair Country Club. Proceeds from the gala will benefit Technology initiatives in the School District. The success of the gala depends on community participation and support. To become an individual or corporate sponsor, call Liz Hall at 412-833-1600, ext. 2826. To donate an item or service to the silent auction or volunteer to serve on the silent auction committee, contact one of the gala’s silent auction co-chairs: Melissa Epler at 412-427-5092 or Kathy Teresi at 412-427-5092. EITC Program Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program encourages investments in innovative educational programs. Your company or business may be eligible to receive Pennsylvania tax credits (equal to up to 90% of your investment)
for donations made to innovative programs in the Upper St. Clair School District. Under the EITC, funding flows from businesses through an approved Educational Improvement Organization (in USC’s case the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair) to the public school district. Interested businesses can choose to support one of a list of eligible programs in Upper St. Clair, including: Leadership USC, the 21st Century Schools Initiative, the International Baccalaureate Program, the STEM Laboratory Research Partnership, the innovative science curriculum at the elementary and middle schools, and the gifted education program. Businesses can apply for Pennsylvania tax credits under the EITC program beginning this year on July 1. Visit the following website to obtain a copy of the application: www.newpa. com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/ educational-improvement-tax-credit-program-eitc. If you have additional questions or would like to learn more about any of the programs eligible for EITC funding, contact Liz Hall at 412-833-1600, ext. 2826 and also read the article on EITC on page 28. n
Summer 2012
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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