Kiski Area assistant principal wins statewide award

Joyce Hanz | Friday, March 19, 2021 1:57 p.m.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Kiski Area Upper Elementary Assistant Principal Dan Smith was awarded Pennsylvania’s 2021 Outstanding Assistant Principal by the Pennsylvania Principals Association.

Kiski Area Upper Elementary Assistant Principal Dan Smith has been named Pennsylvania’s 2021 Outstanding Assistant Principal.

Smith, a Kiski Area High School alumnus, said the award from the Pennsylvania Principals Association has special meaning given his hometown ties to the district.

“It’s wonderful to continue working in the same place I grew up and, hopefully, I’m making a positive impact on the community,” Smith said.

Smith, 40, is the son of Charles and Elaine Smith of Allegheny Township.

He graduated with a degree in education and history from Clarion University in 2003.

“That’s what got me on my path to education,” Smith said.

Smith began his career in the district in 2004 as a high school social studies teacher.

He has served as assistant principal at Kiski Area Upper Elementary for two years and was instrumental in creating and organizing online instruction when covid-19 restrictions resulted in school closures last year.

“Mr. Smith has played a vital leadership role in the planning and implementation of professional development and technology deployment to assist his staff and students as they navigate learning in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic,” said Robert Farina, who chaired the Pennsylvania Principals Association committee that selected this year’s winner.

Kiski Area Upper Elementary Principal Brian Swartzlander nominated Smith for the award. He pointed to Smith’s technical expertise and leadership. “Dan more than delivered,” Swartzlander said. “The online product that Kiski Area offers currently is second to none. And a lot of this is because of the hard work, commitment and leadership of Dan Smith.”

Smith is now in the running for the National Outstanding Assistant Principal award. He will attend a recognition event at the Pennsylvania Principals Association State Conference this fall in State College.

“This is where I want to be,” said Smith, who is married with two sons. “It’s where I was born, raised, work, and it’s where I want to continue my career until the day that I can retire.”