(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. David C. Pietro, principal of New Brighton Middle School in the New Brighton School District, has been named president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) for 2002-2003.

He began his career in education as a social studies teacher in grades 9-12 in the New Brighton School District. He also served as a secondary guidance counselor (9-12) and an elementary guidance counselor (K-5), both in the New Brighton School District.

Dr. Pietro has been a member of the PAESP for more than 18 years. He most recently served the PAESP as president-elect. He was also the West II Regional Representative on the PAESP Executive Board, a member of the Curriculum Committee and a panelist for the PAESP Aspiring Principals’ Workshop.

In addition to being a member of the PAESP and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), Dr. Pietro is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He also wrote various articles for the Pennsylvania Administrator and NAESP’s Principal magazines.

Dr. Pietro formerly served as the president, past president and treasurer of the Beaver County Elementary Principals’ Association, and is past president of the Beaver County Curriculum Council. He is also a principal trainer in the Instructional Support Process and provides SAT training for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in cooperation with the Prevention Project of Beaver County.

Dr. Pietro achieved the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army, where he received the following military honors: The Bronze Star for Meritorious Service; the Army Commendation Medal for Achievement; and the Combat Infantry Medal.

Dr. Pietro is active in his community where he is past president of the New Brighton Rotary Club. He was selected as the New Brighton Area PTA Scholarship Honoree for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Youth of the Community and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the New Brighton Rotary Club for “Service Above Self.”

Dr. Pietro is also president of New Brighton Cares, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing after-school and community educational, recreational and health services to New Brighton youth.

Dr. Pietro received a bachelor of arts degree from Geneva College. He earned a master of science in education degree and certification in elementary and secondary guidance counseling from Slippery Rock University. He received his elementary principal’s certification from Westminster College and his Ed.D. in educational leadership from Youngstown State University.

PA Principals Association’s mission is to: Assist members in fulfilling their role as instructional leaders and effective managers who promote the best educational program for all students; give members an effective voice in the educational decision-making process at the local, state and national levels; and improve members’ working conditions so that their rights are protected, their job descriptions are reasonable, the importance of their instructional leadership role is recognized and their salaries and fringe benefits are equitable.