For Immediate Release

October 12, 2012

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 (Phone)
(717) 395-6814 (Cell)

(717) 732-4890 (Fax)
sherit@paprincipals.org
www.paprincipals.org

State and National Education Leaders To Convene in Pittsburgh

(Harrisburg, PA)—More than 200 elementary, middle level and secondary school principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other education leaders will convene in Pittsburgh for the 20^th annual state conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PA Principals Association) to be held October 21-23, 2012 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel.

“This year’s conference once again provides administrators opportunities to engage in professional development that puts teaching and learning at the forefront of each experience. Attendees will gain skills and knowledge through a number of venues including workshops, trainings, seminars and presentations from national and international keynote speakers. As a member of PA Principals Association, and as an attendee at our conferences, I look forward to the opportunity to network with fellow administrators across the state in an effort to learn and grow as a professional,” said Mark A. Korcinsky, 2012 conference chairperson.

A few of the awards to be given out at the conference include the National Distinguished Principal and the Assistant, Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. These will be given during PA Principals Association’s 28^th annual banquet from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012 (Grand Station Ballroom I-II).

In addition to the more than 75 vendors exhibiting their products for schools and classrooms in the Exhibit Hall (Grand Station Ballroom, Monday, Oct. 22, 2012), keynote addresses and a multitude of informational breakout sessions will be presented to attendees by three nationally known speakers and educators from across the Commonwealth during the 2 ½-day conference. Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs will present “Upgrading Our Schools for the 21^st-Century Learner” on Sunday, Oct. 21 from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the First General Session (Admiral Room).

On Monday, October 22, Colonel Arthur Athens (USMC,  Retired) will present “Back to Basics: The Fundamentals of Extraordinary Leadership” from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at the Second General Session (Admiral Room). Also, presenting on Monday is Dr. Willard Daggett, who will present “Leading in Challenging Times,” from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at the Third General Session (Admiral Room).

On Tuesday, Oct. 23 at PA Principals Association’s Annual Business Meeting (8:15-9:15 a.m.), PA Principals Association President Dr. Barry L. Purvis will ‘pass the gavel’ to President-Elect Kurt J. Nyquist, principal of Penns Valley Elementary & Intermediate School in the Penns Valley Area School District, Spring Mills, Pa., making him the 2012-2013 PA Principals Association president.