Wayne Walters Named Permanent Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh Public Schools directors announced Dr. Wayne Walters will be permanently appointed as superintendent of the district.

Walters, who has worked for the district for more than 30 years, took over as interim superintendent last fall after Anthony Hamlet resigned.

The district announced his appointment Thursday afternoon. He officially begins the position August 1, the district said.

“I remain unapologetically student-centered, committed, and passionate about our students, teachers, staff, and families of the Pittsburgh Public Schools," Walters said in a news release. "I know firsthand the many challenges our District faces, but I believe competence, confidence, and collaboration go a long way in creating quality, equity, well-rounded experiences and spaces of learning and joy for our students. I am genuinely excited about the tremendous opportunities ahead.”

A native of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Walters arrived in Pittsburgh when he was 16 to attend Carnegie Mellon University, where he received a bachelor's degree in music performance-music education. He subsequently received a master's degree in music education-technology from Duquesne University by 1998, and earned a doctorate degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007.

He began his teaching career at King Elementary in the North Side when he was 21. Prior to becoming interim superintendent, Walters had experience as a district assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent of 6-12 schools.

Pittsburgh Public Schools serves more than 20,000 students.