(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. Barbara A. Rudiak, executive director, school management, K-5 elementary schools for the Pittsburgh School District, has assumed the position of President of the approximately 4,000-member Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PA Principals Association’s membership is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and supervisors and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Dr. Rudiak took over the association reins following the annual business meeting on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 held in conjunction with the fourteenth annual PA Principals Association conference.

She began her career in education as a middle school teacher for 14 years. She also served as a supervisor of a school improvement program for two years and an assistant principal for two years. She was principal of Phillips Elementary School (Pittsburgh School District) in the South Side neighborhood for 13 years.

A member of PA Principals Association and NAESP for 13 years, Dr. Rudiak served as the West IV elementary regional representative to the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) Board of Directors and the PA Principals Association Board of Directors for five years. She served as a member of the PA Principals Association Conference Committee in 2001 and 2006; and as the PA Principals Association federal relations coordinator for two years. In 2001, she represented elementary principals in Pennsylvania at the National Principals’ Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. In addition, she has attended seven PA Principals Association state conferences; the NAESP/ NASSP National Leaders’ Conference in Washington, D.C., for three years; and the Northeast Regional Elementary Principals’ Conference for two years.

Dr. Rudiak was the recipient of Pennsylvania’s National Distinguished Principal (NDP) Award in 2003.

She is actively involved in various Pittsburgh School District committees and served on the executive board of the Pittsburgh Administrators’ Association for 15 years.

Dr. Rudiak earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s of education degree from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

PA Principals Association’s Mission: The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals is dedicated to assuring that every Pennsylvania child receives the very best education possible. In carrying out this mission, the association recognizes that the early elementary years are most crucial to successful lifelong learning, that appropriate middle level programs are essential for successful adolescent maturation and development and that strong high school programs are critical for preparing youth for successful entry and transition into adulthood.

PA Principals Association recognizes an obligation to make continuing contributions toward strengthening the principalship and the profession. The association is committed to providing critical professional growth opportunities through training programs, opportunities for constructive professional mentoring and relationships, publications, conferences and professional meetings and activities aimed at helping aspiring principals in reaching their goals and practicing principals to hone their skills.