Celebrating the
2026 Pens MVPs
Presented by the
AIU and Grable Foundation
Welcome to the Pens Most Valuable Principals Hall of Fame! Come back each week this fall for a fresh Q&A with one of our most recent Pens MVPs.
In 2026, each of these 15 regional principals were honored at a Pens game, received a Pens prize pack, customized jersey, and a $1,000 donation to their school for a project of their choosing.
2026 Honorees
Dr. Samantha Abate
Deer Lakes School District
Amanda Beckett
Chartiers Valley SD
Dr. Bonnie Betler
Brentwood Borough SD
Dr. Brett Bielewicz
Mt. Lebanon SD
David Campos
Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Dr. Keera Dwulit
Avonworth SD
Paula Giran
Pine-Richland SD
Dr. Jennifer Hoffner
Gateway SD
Dr. Julie Moore
Moon Area SD
John Saras
Baldwin-Whitehall SD
Kevin Sheridan
North Hills SD
Clay Stone
Steel Valley SD
Dr. David Turk
Riverview SD
Jodi VanderSchaaff
Deer Lakes SD
John Saras, co-principal of Baldwin High School, is one of 15 honorees of the 2026 Penguins MVP designation.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Saras: Our school is transforming teaching and learning through innovative practices that empower students to think critically and stay fully engaged. We also prioritize strong connections with students, families, and our community so everyone feels informed, supported, and part of our work.
What do you love about being a principal?
Saras: I love being a principal because of the strong connections we build with students, staff, and families that create a supportive and inspiring school community. I also appreciate the opportunity to champion innovative teaching and learning that helps every student grow with confidence and purpose.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Saras: The future of education will center on flexible student schedules that allow learners to pursue personalized pathways and explore their interests in meaningful ways. This shift will create greater opportunities for real world learning through internships, job shadowing, and work study experiences. It will also redefine what it means to be a high school graduate by rethinking content area requirements and continuing to expand the thoughtful infusion of technology into every classroom.
Amanda Beckett, assistant principal of Chartiers Valley Intermediate School, is one of 15 honorees of the 2026 Penguins MVP designation.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Beckett: Our school may be large, but we are intentional about creating a small, close-knit feel. Our amazing staff, wonderful students, and supportive families all play a vital role in making our community strong and connected.
What do you love about being a principal?
Beckett: I enjoy supporting students, getting to know them, and building meaningful relationships. I strive to make our staff feel valued and part of a true team, while fostering a school culture others want to be part of. I also believe that we all make mistakes, but every day is a chance to start fresh, choose better, and make progress, not perfection.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Beckett: I don’t think any of us can fully put into words what the future of education will look like. It’s already so different from where we were even five years ago. As education continues to evolve, I believe we’ll see greater flexibility in how schooling looks and increased innovation in the design of schools. Truly, the sky is the limit.
David Campos, principal of Sunrise School, is one of 15 honorees of the 2026 Penguins MVP designation.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Campos: Sunrise has an amazing and dedicated staff that work tirelessly for our students (who are also amazing!)
What do you love about being a principal?
Campos: Being the building principal allows me to impact the school programming at-large and benefit the entire student population. Working with students is a rare honor and being a building principal allows me to impact the lives of both the staff and students.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Campos: Special education is uniquely focused on individualized education and meeting our students at their level. With the acceleration of technology, and AI specifically, it would not surprise me to see education at large becoming more and more individualized for all students.
Dr. Keera Dwulit, principal of Avonworth High School, is one of 15 honorees of the 2026 Penguins MVP designation.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Dwulit: Our incredible students and dedicated teachers make Avonworth such a special place! They show up for each other and for me and I couldn’t be more humbled and proud to work beside each of them. Our students are so much more powerful and impactful than they realize! They bring challenge, talent, persistence, humor, and awesome ideas…reminding me how very lucky I am.
What do you love about being a principal?
Dwulit: I have the gift of watching students work through challenges and then achieve more than they ever thought possible. I am trusted by families to look out for their kids each day and I value every minute learning from them! I also get to help teachers begin their journeys and then see them become masterful educators and mentors, guiding students that will change the world.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Dwulit: The future is so bright; full of potential for students of all abilities and paths to finding success. The future is full of confident students finding their passions early, enjoying learning, and building a life they are proud of. The future of education is here.
Dr. Brett M. Bielewicz, principal of Jefferson Elementary School, is one of 15 honorees of the 2026 Penguins MVP designation.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Bielewicz: Jefferson Elementary School is a nurturing, student-centered community where social-emotional learning is at the heart of everything we do. We intentionally teach skills like self-awareness, empathy, problem-solving, and resilience so students feel safe, supported, and confident to learn and grow. Jefferson Elementary was one of the first schools to have a Matt’s Makerspaces, which has inspired and empowered students to build their , collaboration, and perseverance while learning that mistakes are part of the process. Most importantly, our families are truly the secret to our success. Our strong home-school partnerships create a caring network that helps every JES student thrive both in and out of the classroom.
What do you love about being a principal?
Bielewicz: I love being a principal because I get to make a difference in people’s lives every single day. I love celebrating every success, no matter how small, helping kids through big feelings, and watching our community come together around shared goals. Being a principal means leading with heart, creating opportunities, setting a vision, and seeing the impact of that work unfold in real time.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Bielewicz: I believe that the future of education is built on strong partnerships. Local universities, community organizations, and leaders in the field are the much needed collaborations that connect schools to research, innovation, and real-world expertise. These partnerships allow instruction to evolve while providing supports that nurture academic and social-emotional growth.
By working alongside leaders in the field, Jefferson Elementary has piloted new ideas and created learning experiences that are truly meaningful. In this future-focused model, education is a shared responsibility; one that extends beyond school walls and prepares students not only for academic success, but for life beyond the classroom.