Administrative Services
Celebrating the
2024 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 2024, 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.
Stay tuned for details on the nomination process for the 2025 Class of Pittsburgh Penguins MVPs!
2024 Honorees
Dr. Deidra Stepko
Chartiers Valley SD
Dr. Doug Szokoly
Cornell SD
Jennifer Cavalancia
Deer Lakes SD
Robert Childs
Nikole Laubham
Robert Reese
Diocese of Pittsburgh
Cory Sakolsky
Dr. Stan Whiteman
Highlands SD
Dr. Gina Mahouski
Mt. Lebanon SD
Dr. Jamie Eimiller
North Allegheny SD
Nicole Smith
Northgate SD
Dr. Deborah Riccobelli
Quaker Valley SD
Jeff Rojik
Shaler Area SD
Dr. Kevin Maurer
South Fayette Township SD
Dr. Tim Wagner
Upper St. Clair SD
This week’s featured Q&A is with Robert Childs, principal of Serra Catholic High School.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Childs: Serra Catholic is a small community that feels more like a family than it does a school. Our teachers know their students and have not taught only them, but in a lot of instances, have taught their older siblings as well. Our families generously give of their time in order to help with our student’s activities and athletics.
What do you love about being a principal?
Childs: What I love about being a principal is getting to know the students and trying to help them during their high school experience.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Childs: The future of education always should be evolving to meet the needs of the students. What does the future job market going look like and how can we as educators help our students prepare for those changes, is the question that we need to constantly ask ourselves.
This week’s featured Q&A is with Cory Sakolsky, Principal of Highlands Middle School in the Highlands School District.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Sakolsky: Highlands Middle School is an innovative, inclusive and forward thinking school that looks to provide all of our students with opportunities to better themselves now and in their futures. Working together in teams and continually promoting our RAMS pride we are a school continuing to develop our culture of Respect, Accountability, Motivation and Safety.
What do you love about being a principal?
Sakolsky: I love the daily interactions with students, teachers, and the challenges we face together. This is a crucial age in the development of our young people. Knowing every day we are not only educating our youth but further preparing them for their future and the challenges they will face make it all worth it.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Sakolsky: The future of education is the not only the integration of technology but the further development of complex critical thinking and problem solving skills. The sooner we understand that our students now can learn at a faster rate and have a higher hunger to be challenged, the more intentional we can be to improve the education we provide. Growing up with technology and the internet at their fingertips can be dangerous. Within seconds they can answer any question they are asked without needing support. It is our job to appropriately and effectively teach them how to use this technology, and develop these skills to be able to intentionally and effectively use them for whatever challenges their futures may hold.
This week’s featured Q&A is with Nikole Laubham, principal of Divine Mercy Academy.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Laubham: Divine Mercy Academy is an amazing school that has overcome much adversity over the past six year due to a school merger followed by the pandemic. Our school has an incredible vibe that is felt the moment you walk through our doors.
What do you love about being a principal?
Laubham: I love being able to interact with ALL of the students every day!
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Laubham: The future of education is something that is rapidly changing with the increased technology we see every day. We need to maintain the key elements, however, so that we can still focus on the teaching and learning taking place within our classrooms.
This week’s featured Q&A is with Dr. Doug Szokoly, principal of Cornell High School in the Cornell School district.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Dr. Szokoly: Cornell School District is a tremendous place to work because of the overall size of the district. We are a small school district that typically graduated approximately 40 students per year and given that number, I am able to get to know each and every one of these students on a personal level.
What do you love about being a principal?
Dr. Szokoly: I enjoy being a principal because of the significant impact I can have on students’ lives and the opportunity to build a strong school community. Knowing that my efforts contribute to students’ growth and success, and fostering a positive and inclusive environment for everyone in the school, are the aspects I find most rewarding.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Dr. Szokoly: I think the future of education looks to be trending in a positive direction. A lot of focus is being placed on personalized learning, blended/hybrid learning, equity and inclusion and an emphasis on lifelong learning to name a few. Creating an environment for our students that focuses on these trends, the future of education will be dynamic and adaptive to the changing world around us.
This week’s featured Q&A is with Jennifer Cavalancia, principal of Curtisville Primary Center in Deer Lakes School District.
What is something positive that you want others to know about your school?
Cavalancia: Curtisville Primary Center continuously provides a personalized learning community for our young learners focused on collaboration, communication, wellness, creativity, and empowered citizenship. Through the development of collaborative teams, we find success in the areas of school-wide PBIS implementation, social/emotional instructional routines, building level wellness initiatives, kindergarten transition planning, and full integration of RTII/MTSS data analysis and intervention planning.
What do you love about being a principal?
Cavalancia: I often say that I am lucky that I get to do this work each day. To have the opportunity to be directly involved with the growth/development of the individual children and to strive toward meeting their fullest potential is the greatest reward for me. I enjoy working closely with staff to maintain an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
In your opinion, what is the future of education?
Cavalancia: In my opinion, the future of education will continue to embrace personalized learning to enhance skill development while maintaining a focus on social-emotional development. We will work to strengthen critical thinking skills, collaborative efforts, and the ever-changing integration of technology.