TO:               News Editor/News Director

CONTACT:        Sheri L. Thompson, Director of Communications, Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
122 Valley Road, P.O. Box 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
(717) 732-4999 (Office)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)
(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paprincipals.org

RELEASE:       UPON RECEIPT

(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Margaret S. Foster, principal/chief academic officer of Bear Creek Community Charter School in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., recently assumed the presidency of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association), headquartered in Summerdale, Pa.

PA Principals Association’s membership of approximately 3,800 is comprised of elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals and other edu- cational leaders and is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Ms. Foster took over the association reins from 2009-10 President Rebecca L. Stanfield, a middle school principal in the Troy Area School District, following the association’s annual business meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010, during the 18th annual PA Principals Association conference in Pittsburgh.

“I am humbled and honored to represent principals across Pennsylvania as President of PA Principals Association.   Our signature services of quality staff development including PIL offerings that are second to none, combined with Act 93 meet and discuss support, legislative influence and prompt legal support, make our organization unique as we champion the cause of our members. As President, it is my duty to continue the mission and to bring the voice of our members to the decision making table in Harrisburg and in Washington D.C.   I look forward to my year of service and to advancing the great work that principals do in their schools for kids every day,” said Ms. Foster.

Ms. Foster began her career as a 9th-11th grade Applied Science teacher at Monroe City Vocational-Technical School. She then became the dean of students at Susquehanna Community School District from 1997-2000, followed by the elementary school principal at Mountain View School District.

Ms. Foster has been a member of PA Principals Association for 10 years. Most recently, she served the association as the 2009-10 President-Elect. Before taking this position, she served as the PA Principals Association federal relations/legislative co-chair, elementary division (2006-2010). She was also the East I Elementary Regional Representative on the PA Principals Association Board of Directors (2003-2009).   

In addition, Ms. Foster served as a reviewer for “NSTA Recommends®” (National Science Teachers Association) and wrote several articles for the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA) newsletter, “Exchange,” from 1998-2003. Since 1997, she has been an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Ms. Foster received a bachelor of science degree from Slippery Rock University. She received a master’s degree in education and her principal certification from East Stroudsburg University.

PA Principals Association’s Mission: To ensure a quality education for every child by comprehensively supporting the educational leaders of our schools.

PA Principals Association’s Vision: To be the best service organization of its kind in the United States.