(Harrisburg, PA)— Dr. Thomas P. Carey, deputy director of elementary and secondary education for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, has been selected to receive the prestigious Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals’ (PA Principals Association) 2001 Educational Excellence Award. The award, given annually, recognizes a Pennsylvanian who has made significant contributions to public education and who continues to demonstrate a sincere commitment to quality education for all the children of the Commonwealth. The award will be presented to Dr. Carey in a special ceremony during the banquet at PA Principals Association’s ninth annual joint state conference, October 29, 2001, at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Carey has served the education field as a classroom teacher, a school board member and a school administrator. Prior to his current position, Dr. Carey was the executive director at the Armstrong-Indiana Intermediate Unit 28 and the curriculum specialist at the Northwest Tri-
County Intermediate Unit 5 in Edinboro. He also held positions with the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, Girard School District and the Erie City School District.

Dr. Carey has held the position of president with the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units and with the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators as well as serving on its Board of Governors.

Dr. Carey has been involved in a number of community organizations such as the Armstrong County Chamber of Commerce, Armstrong-Indiana Excellence Foundation, Greater Indiana Endowment Foundation, Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, Indiana County Enterprise Zone, Indiana Rotary and the Private Industry Council of Armstrong-Butler-Indiana counties.

Dr. Carey earned his bachelor of science and M.Ed. from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He received his Ed.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. His certifications include: Permanent Teacher Certificate, Pennsylvania; Secondary Principal Certificate, Pennsylvania; District Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, Pennsylvania; Intermediate Unit Executive Director Certificate, Pennsylvania; and School District Administrator, New York.

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.