(Harrisburg, PA)—Ronald W. Dufalla, Ph.D., principal of Brentwood High School in the Brentwood Borough School District, and outgoing president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association), was honored by his peers and guests at the twelfth annual state principals’ conference in Pittsburgh. Dr. Dufalla was presented with a plaque and a ring for his exemplary service to the association during 2003-2004 at the annual banquet held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel on Monday evening, October 25, 2004.

Dr. Dufalla served as the first president of the newly-consolidated PA Principals Association. In October 2003, the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) and the Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals (PASSP) merged to form the PA Principals Association. He currently serves the association as immediate past president.

Dr. Dufalla has been an educator for more than 28 years. He began his career as a social studies teacher in Fox Chapel High School and Brentwood Junior-Senior High School. He then became the assistant principal at Brentwood Junior-Senior High School and Brentwood Middle-High School from 1986-1996. He also served as principal of Brentwood Middle-High School from 1996-1999.

Dr. Dufalla received a bachelor of science degree in social studies education from Edinboro State College. He received a master of science degree in secondary education from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Dufalla is involved in many professional and community organizations. Some of these include the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the Western Pennsylvania Principals’ Academy, the Alumni Association of the University of Pittsburgh and the Alumni Association of Edinboro University.

He has been married for 27 years to Debbie, a full-time, “stay-at-home mom.” They have two children: Stephen, 22, and Theresa, 11. They reside in McKeesport, Pa.

Susan Stewart, recently retired as the division chief for candidate evaluation services in the Bureau of Teacher Certification in the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), was also honored with the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals’ prestigious Educational Excellence Award during the banquet. The honor is given annually to a citizen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who has made significant contributions to the attainment of educational excellence in the state’s elementary and secondary schools. Ms. Stewart has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the quality of public education in the Commonwealth.

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.