(Harrisburg, PA)—The Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association) has announced that J. Daniel Collins, D.Ed., a retired superintendent from the Downingtown Area School District, has been hired as the association’s new executive director.

Dr. Collins brings a background of 32.5 years in public education to PA Principals Association. He has served 28 years as an administrator. He spent 19  ½ of those years as a superintendent in several school districts, including Downingtown, Hempfield and Dover. He began his career as an 11th grade U.S. history teacher in Prince George’s County, Md., where he taught for five years.

Dr. Collins received his bachelor’s and master’s of education degrees from Shippensburg University, and his doctoral degree in curriculum instruction from the Pennsylvania State University.

He resides in Downington, with his wife, Grace. She is the director of the Chester County (Alternative) High School. They have two grown children.

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.