INPERSON
ACHIEVING
E xcellenc E
Shaler Area assistant superintendent receives
Excellence in Educational Leadership Award.
BY NICOLE TAFE
S
haler Area Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Bryan O’Black is one of 17
professionals nationwide to receive
the University Council for Educational
Administration’s Excellence in Educational
Leadership Award.
O’Black joined the school district in
2009 as the director of technology and
has been the assistant superintendent
since 2015. He previously worked with
the South Fayette School District and
holds a Bachelor of Science in education,
a master’s degree in school administration
and supervision, and a doctorate in
education from Duquesne University.
“This recognition truly is a testament
to the hard work and dedication of our
entire team in the Shaler Area School
District, most importantly the staff that
works with our students each and every
day,” says O’Black. “I am honored to have
the opportunity to serve as the assistant
superintendent and to guide, lead and
work collaboratively on behalf of the
children of Shaler Area. Education is the
most rewarding profession.”
The UCEA Excellence in Educational
Leadership Award is an annual recognition
for practicing school administrators who
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have made significant contributions to the
improvement of administrator preparation.
Each year, the UCEA Executive
Committee invites member university
faculties to select a distinguished school
administrator who has an exemplary
record of supporting school administrator
preparation efforts. The faculty at
Duquesne University nominated O’Black
for the recognition.
O’Black serves as a mentor to doctoral
candidates within the Ed.D. in Educational
Leadership program at Duquesne
University. He has also supported
initiatives and experiences that create
opportunities for educational leadership
at all levels, fostering curriculum that
supports teacher leaders as well as
building-level leadership to encourage
actions that promote achievement and
well-being of all students.
The Duquesne University faculty
also recognized O’Black’s work with the
Pennsylvania Association for Supervision
and Curriculum Development as having
clear impact on educational leaders
across the commonwealth. O’Black is on
the cutting edge of advancing learning
environments that challenge students to
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think critically and learn concepts and
content in ways that prepare them for their
futures.
“Dr. Bryan O’Black exemplifies the
core principles of leadership that align
strongly with Duquesne University’s Ed.D.
in Educational Leadership program that
intentionally develops educational leaders
who engage their minds, hearts, and spirits
in the moment of action,” said Dr. Connie
Moss, Director of the Ed.D. in Educational
Leadership Program at Duquesne
University.
“He is an exceptional administrator
who leads for improvement in the very
spaces where children learn and grow. His
exemplary record of local, regional, and
statewide leadership provides evidence of
his sustained impact,” she continued.
“His leadership efforts engage teachers,
principals, and central office staff as highly
functioning teams to examine systems,
work for meaningful improvement, and
develop the potential of all children and
youth. He is a true servant leader who
works to enrich the lives of others, build
optimal learning environments, and share
a vision of how education can help create a
more just and caring world.” n