Upper St. Clair Administrator Finalist For National Award

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - Upper St. Clair assistant/deputy superintendent Sharon Suritsky is one of two finalists for a national award: the Women in School Leadership Award in the Central Office/Principal category, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and AASA, the School Superintendent Association.

The award is designed to recognize exceptional leadership of active, front-line female administrators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Candidates are judged based on leadership in meeting the learning needs of students, personal and organizational communication strength, constant professional improvement of knowledge and skills, and active community involvement.

The award winner will be announced at the AASA National Conference on Education in Nashville in February.

Suritsky was nominated by district superintendent Patrick O’Toole, who said she has quietly driven several significant district initiatives behind the scenes.

“She is highly skilled at maximizing the strengths of district leaders so that they collectively meet the goals of these initiatives and projects,” O’Toole said. “ She is often the one who is behind the scenes putting people in a position so that both they and the district are successful.”

Suritsky, who currently oversees Upper St. Clair’s K-12 instructional program, joined the district’s administrative staff in 1996 as supervisor of special education. In 2009, acting assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and instruction was added to her responsibilities and in 2012 she was elevated to assistant superintendent. Suritsky has served as assistant/deputy superintendent since 2014.

Photo via Upper St. Clair School District.