IN Bethel Park Summer 2016 | Page 54

MEET DR. JOSEPH W. PASQUERILLA, SUPERINTENDENT D r. Joseph W. Pasquerilla began his tenure as the Bethel Park School District’s 11th Superintendent on Monday, April 18. Dr. Pasquerilla succeeds Nancy Aloi Rose, who was the District’s Superintendent since January 2012 and will retire at the end of the 2015-2016 school year. Dr. Pasquerilla comes to Bethel Park from the Northgate School District, where he served as Superintendent since July 2012. Previously, he worked in the Ambridge Area School District from 2009-2012 as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (2009-2010) and most recently as Assistant to the Superintendent (2010-2012). He began his teaching career in the West Middlesex Area School District in 2003, where he taught High School Social Studies until 2008. Following, he was appointed Principal of Northway Elementary School in the North Hills School District. Dr. Pasquerilla also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Government at Butler County Community College from 2006-2008. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education in 2002 from Youngstown State University; his Master of Science in Education in 2005 from Youngstown State University; and his Doctor of Education in April 2008 from the University of Pittsburgh. He earned his Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Westminster College. He is currently a member of the Forum for Western Pennsylvania School Superintendents. “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Pasquerilla as our new Superintendent,” said Bethel Park School Board President Donna Cook. “His vision for academic excellence and his commitment to continuing to move the District into a 21st century learning environment is shared by the Board of School Directors. “He is a respected educator and leader with a strong work ethic, who is highly dedicated to his students and their successes. He takes great pride in supporting his staff members and we are confident of his ability to partner with us in leading the Bethel Park School District into the future.” “We are fortunate in Bethel Park to have an excellent and deeply involved staff, dedicated to high student achievement,” explained Dr. Pasquerilla. “We are on the cutting edge of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) technology integration at all levels, and I want to encourage and continue to provide those kinds of learning opportunities throughout all grade levels. Our staff is eager to further incorporate these types of programs into our curriculum, and I pledge to do everything I can to help them bring their visions to reality. “My primary focus will be to continue to work with our staff to continue to promote high levels of student achievement. We have a great team in place and I see my role as one of a facilitator to engage and encourage continued improvement. “I am also impressed with the amount of community support for the District, not only from parents, but also from businesses and residents. This support shows great pride in the District, and it is important to have a unified and supportive community where people want to do whatever they can to make a difference. “I look forward to working with the community to continue to develop these kinds of meaningful partnerships that support our programs and let our students and staff know that they are valued.” BE TH EL PARK SCH OOL D IS TR IC T ethel Park Dr. Joseph W. Pasquerilla T NICHE.COM RECOGNIZES BPSD AMONG BEST IN PITTSBURGH METRO AREA he website Niche.com ranked the Bethel Park School District among the top 100 in the Pittsburgh Metro area in three categories. • The District received a #9 ranking among the 100 school districts in the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The rankings are based on statistics, student and parent reviews, and expert insights. Also contributing to the ranking were state test 52 Bethel Park scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ SAT scores and teacher quality. • Bethel Park High School also received a #9 ranking among high schools in the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The rankings are based on the same criteria used to rank the District. • Bethel Park School District cafeterias received a #2 ranking, based on student and parent interviews, as well as per pupil expenditures.