Past Superintendent of the Year Award Winners
The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) is proud to announce Dr. Michael Vuckovich, Superintendent of the Windber Area School District, as the 2026 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year.
This year’s selection process drew an outstanding slate of candidates from across the Commonwealth. After careful review of an exceptional group of nominees, the PASA Elections Committee and Board of Governors named Dr. Vuckovich as the 2026 Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Elizabeth Robison, Superintendent of Pocono Mountain School District, finished as a close runner-up.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be named Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year. This recognition is not about one individual, but about the collective work of our students, staff, families, and community who believe in the power of education to transform lives,” Vuckovich said. “To be recognized by my peers — colleagues who know the challenges and responsibilities of this role — is especially meaningful. It reaffirms that the work we are doing together matters and is making a difference. I want to especially thank my wife, Angela, and my family for their constant support and encouragement throughout this journey. I am also grateful to my mentors, friends, and peers who have guided me, challenged me, and helped me grow as a leader. I am honored to receive this award and remain committed to serving with integrity, vision, and a steadfast belief in the potential of every child.”
Dr. Vuckovich, who has served as Superintendent of Windber Area since 2023, is widely recognized for his student-centered leadership, commitment to equity, and innovative approach to rural education. Under his guidance, the district has expanded dual enrollment opportunities, strengthened early literacy through structured literacy programs, and prioritized student mental health with district-wide supports and community partnerships.
A lifelong educator, Dr. Vuckovich has held multiple leadership roles in Pennsylvania schools, including also serving as the superintendent for the Indiana Area School District prior to joining Windber. He holds an Ed.D. from PennWest University, along with certifications from AASA’s National Superintendents Certification Program, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
“Dr. Vuckovich leads with both vision and heart,” Dr. Sherri Smith, PASA Executive Director, said. “Through his district, state-level and legislative advocacy, he has shown what’s possible when a superintendent builds trust, listens to the community, and puts students first.”
In addition to his district leadership, Dr. Vuckovich plays an active role statewide and nationally. He serves as Co-Chair of PASA’s Legislative Committee, represents Pennsylvania on AASA’s Board of Governors, and contributes to professional organizations such as the Pennsylvania School Study Council (Vice President), the National Center on Education and the Economy, and the Educational Policy and Leadership Center.
He's also active in his community, serving on the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the St. Francis University R.E.A.L Institute Executive Committee, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Advisory Board and Safe Spaces Regional Youth Initiative District Representative & Advocate for Youth Engagement.
The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) is honored to announce the selection of Dr. Tina Kane, Superintendent of the Marple Newtown School District, as the 2025 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Kane was selected for this prestigious honor by the PASA Board of Governors and the PASA Elections Committee, chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations received from across the Commonwealth.
Dr. Charles Lentz, Superintendent at New Hope-Solebury finished as the runner-up among finalists in voting by the Board of Governors.
“I am immensely grateful, humble, and proud to be named Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year.” Dr. Kane said. “This honor reflects not only my journey but the hard work and dedication of our incredible staff, students, School Board, and supportive families throughout the Marple Newtown School District. Leading Marple Newtown, a district where I grew up and have served for decades, has been a privilege of a lifetime. We have earned our tiger stripes as a team with perseverance, dedication, and a shared vision of our students’ success.”
Dr. Kane has led the Marple Newtown School District since 2019, after serving in various leadership roles, including Principal at both the middle and high school levels. During her tenure, the district has implemented key innovations, such as district-wide K-12 STEM education and the introduction of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. These hallmark achievements integrate STEM and SEL through Design Thinking classes at the elementary and middle school levels, while the high school’s in-house STEM Academy, now in its fourth year, focuses on developing 21st-century skills and fostering student well-being.
Another significant achievement under Dr. Kane’s leadership is the restructuring of the high school counseling department into two specialized teams: one dedicated to student services focusing on social-emotional support, and the other on college and career academic counseling. The new structure has greatly enhanced support for students, addressing both their mental health and academic needs, and has drawn attention from neighboring districts. The model has been presented at professional conferences, showcasing its success and potential for broader implementation.
"Dr. Tina Kane's long-standing dedication to the Marple Newtown School District is a remarkable testament to her unwavering commitment to student success and educational excellence,” PASA Board of Governors President Dr. Gennaro Piraino Jr. said. “Over nearly three decades, she has been a transformative leader, inspiring students and staff with her innovative approach to STEM education, social-emotional learning, and effective communication. Tina's deep community roots and dedication to mentoring future leaders across the Commonwealth reflect her passion for making a lasting impact on public education. She has uplifted and empowered countless administrators as a champion of leaders, especially female leadership. Her vision and leadership are truly deserving of this recognition as the 2025 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year."
In addition to her work in the district, Dr. Kane is a dedicated advocate for women in educational leadership, serving as the President of the PASA Women’s Caucus and Co-Founder of a local Women in Leadership group. Through these roles, she has empowered female administrators across the state, fostering mentorship and professional development opportunities for emerging leaders.
“Among a strong nomination field of candidates for the 2025 PA Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Kane stood out as a shining example of leadership in the Commonwealth,” PASA Executive Director Dr. Sherri Smith said. “She leads with conviction, compassion, and a vibrant vision for success at Marple Newtown. Through her role as Superintendent, President of the PASA Women’s Caucus, and as a member of the PASA Board of Governors, Dr. Kane continues to inspire those around her to reach new heights as we re-envision public education in the Commonwealth.”
Dr. Kane’s deep roots in the Marple Newtown community have been a guiding force throughout her career. A graduate of Marple Newtown High School, she began her professional journey as an elementary teacher in the district before moving into leadership roles. Her lifelong commitment to the district has earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues, students, and community members alike.
The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators is proud to announce the selection of Bermudian Springs Superintendent Dr. Shane Hotchkiss as the 2024 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Hotchkiss was selected as the 2024 recipient of the award by the PASA Board of Governors and the PASA Elections Committee from nominations received throughout the Commonwealth.
Dr. Sue Mariani, Duquesne School District's Superintendent finished as the runner-up among finalists in voting by the Board of Governors.
Hotchkiss has led the Bermudian Springs School District, which serves more than 1,800 students in grades K-12 in Adams County, since 2011.
A collaborative leader and innovative thinker, Hotchkiss has worked to ensure students in his rural district have the tools they need to be successful.
“I am truly honored and humbled by this recognition from my colleagues,” Dr. Hotchkiss said. “This award has afforded me the opportunity to share our District story. I view this as a District honor, not just a personal accomplishment. I feel that I am merely an advocate for the amazing staff and students that I have the honor of representing every day. It truly is because of the fantastic students, dedicated and caring staff, thoughtful leaders, and supportive community that I am able to do what I do every single day. We are only as strong as the sum of our parts as a team, and I am part of an exceptional team. This award simply recognizes how far we’ve come in supporting and creating opportunities for our students, while also providing the tools and resources for our teachers to do what they do best.”
Among his many accomplishments at Bermudian Springs, Hotchkiss helped to lead The One to World Initiative—a program designed to provide teachers and students with increased access to technology resources in support of their learning in school and at home.
Through The One to World Initiative, Bermudian transformed its classrooms to ensure that the resources are available to support individualized instruction to prepare students with the 21st-century skills needed for a career or post-secondary education. They created a support system and learning opportunities for teachers and information sessions for parents to learn how the initiative impacts their child’s education. The initiative fostered student creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking in an environment that allowed for personalized learning.
“Shane represents all that is right and well in education while leading the Bermudian Springs School District for over a decade,” PASA Board of Governors President Dr. John Sanville said. “Great leadership does not happen by accident— it takes focus, energy, and passion—all characteristics that Dr. Hotchkiss exhibits on a daily basis.”
It also requires the ability to think outside the box to solve problems that may be unique to one’s district. For example, Bermudian Springs lies just a handful of miles from the Route 15 artery, but unlike most school districts, does not have access to public water, sewer, or cable. Hotchkiss and his team at Bermudian Springs led the construction of the district’s own water treatment facility, renovated the school’s wastewater treatment plant, and installed new fiber-optic lines to ensure students have access to the latest information and learning opportunities.
“Dr. Hotchkiss has led Bermudian Springs, a small rural school district in the heart of Apple Country, with innovation, creativity, and compassion,” PASA Executive Director Dr. Sherri Smith said. “In addition, he is a strong legislative advocate for his district and at the state and federal level. Congratulations Shane on this tremendous honor. It is well deserved!”
Dr. Hotchkiss serves in a number of leadership roles in the field of education and his local community in addition to his position at Bermudian Springs. He is a member of the American Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He also serves on AASA’s Board of Governors as a Pennsylvania Representative, PASA’s Board of Governors, and as Chairperson of PASA’s Legislative Committee.
Hotchkiss is a graduate of Widener University’s Doctoral Program for Educational Leaders and possesses a Master of Education and a Bachelor’s degree from Mansfield University.
As the Pennsylvania honoree, Dr. Hotchkiss and 49 other state honorees will be recognized during the AASA National Conference on Education in San Diego on February 15-17.
The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators is proud to announce the selection of Ephrata Area School District’s Dr. Brian Troop as the 2023 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year.
Troop emerged from a tremendously strong field of nominees including fellow finalists Stephen Rodriguez of Pottstown and Dr. Randal Lutz of Baldwin-Whitehall to earn 55.5 percent of the vote among the Board of Governors. Finalists were selected by the PASA Elections Committee and voted on by the Board of Governors.
“This honor means so much to me, as it is a recognition of the work happening in our district on behalf of our students and community,” Dr. Troop said. “Every leader knows you are only as good as your team, and I am impressed daily by the dedication and innovation I see from ‘Team Ephrata!’ Additionally, this honor is even more meaningful to me because it comes from fellow superintendents, who have overcome unimaginable obstacles and braved the most treacherous seas over these last few years.”
His innovative thinking, collaborative leadership and drive to succeed have improved communication in the district, elevates student performance and led to the launch of several community-connected initiatives including the Life Ready Graduate and Cornerstone Projects.
“Dr. Troop is the epitome of a great leader,” PASA Elections Chair and Past-President Dr. Jay Burkhart said. “He consistently pushes the status quo to make sure his district is providing the most current and beneficial programs to their students. He is tireless in his advocacy for public education and all of those who work to support the students in our schools. Dr. Troop is very deserving of this honor and is certainly a model leader that others should aspire to replicate.”
Dr. Troop led Ephrata Area’s implementation of the district’s Life Ready Graduate (LRG) initiative in 2017 which created a collection of learning traits that are valuable in the real world.
The Cornerstone Projects are year-long projects for each grade level that connect students with a community partner to help build engagement and strengthen relationships between the school and community. The project helps to prioritize the Life Ready Graduate skills through problem-solving on real-world tasks with relevant community partners.
“Dr. Troop is an exemplary, forward-thinking leader and certainly has earned this great honor of PA’s Superintendent of the Year,” PASA Executive Director Dr. Sherri Smith said. “He is active in both state- and national-level advocacy and leadership in addition to achieving monumental accomplishments within his district and school community. Well done, Brian! I know you will represent your PA colleagues well in the coming year of events!”
Ephrata Area earned recognition as an AASA Learning 2025 Lighthouse School System under Dr. Troop’s guidance—one of just 13 districts nationwide to earn this distinction and serve as a model for positive change in public education.
“Our ‘Lighthouse’ systems are serving as thought-leader practitioners that are implementing bold, actionable steps on behalf of the broader education community to learn from and learn with as they have taken on the challenge of Learning 2025,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA about the Lighthouse initiative when it was launched in May. “As we emerge from the pandemic, it is critical to invoke future-focused best practices for the well-being, self-sufficiency and success of our young learners.”
Dr. Troop prioritizes student involvement as evidenced by adding a pair of student engagement facilitators to the Ephrata staff to help elevate the voice of students by identifying ways the district can ensure that all students feel like they belong.
And he’s identified outside-the-box ways to engage students, creating opportunities for student input on the redesign of the school’s library and engaging high school learners to repurpose and old school bus into a space for elementary students to create--—a task that required high school students to apply practical knowledge to gut the bus and redesign its interior and elementary students to participate in a hands-on learning experience.
Dr. Troop utilizes his legislative prowess to successfully advocate on behalf of his school community and public schools across the Commonwealth. He’s fostered relationships with local legislative leaders including Sen. Ryan Aument and Sen. Scott Martin to lobby for education-related legislative priorities and the reform of cyber charter funding. He’s also an active member of a number of boards and committees including the PASA Board of Governors as an I.U. 13 Representative, a member of the Innovative Teaching and Learning Committee, the Ephrata Area Education Foundation, and the Lancaster STEM Alliance.
As the Pennsylvania honoree, Dr. Troop and 49 other state honorees will be recognized on February 16, 2023 during the AASA National Conference on Education.
Since becoming superintendent of the Palisades School District in 2011, Dr. O’Connell has demonstrated positive and forward-thinking leadership that has inspired student achievement, community involvement and support, state and national recognition, and systemic models that have served as an example for other districts. As an educational leader, she works collaboratively with school board and community members, administration, faculty, staff, parents and students to enhance learning opportunities.
Under Dr. O’Connell’s leadership, student achievement, academic recognition and a focus on the whole child have been a hallmark of the district’s schools. That focus has brought numerous state and national recognitions to both the district and district schools. In addition, the district’s high school students score consistently high on AP exams, with 52 students earning distinction as AP Scholars just in the past two years.
Dr. O’Connell has led district-wide efforts to focus on college and career readiness by developing multiple pathway programs for students focused on coursework and hands-on experiences that allow students to reaffirm their college and career interests or, in some instances, help them make decisions in other directions. With her leadership, Palisades developed online learning options years in advance of the pandemic and countless extracurricular opportunities, initiatives that have served as a model for countless districts statewide and nationally.
In addition, Dr. O’Connell leverages social media, traditional media, videos and in-person methods to reach and proactively engage with all stakeholders, efforts that have garnered support by parents and the community. She likewise is committed to professional leadership in Pennsylvania and nationally, serving one the Governing Board of AASA®, The School Superintendents Association, the PASA Board of Governors and the PASA Advocacy Committee. She also has delivered both in-person and virtual presentations for the numerous PASA programs and professional forums.
Finally, Dr. O’Connell makes advocacy for public education a hallmark of her leadership. She regularly corresponds with state legislators, maintains a legislation and advocacy webpage on the district’s website, and hosts annual legislative dinners with the district’s state representative to discuss current issues facing public education.
Dr. O’Connell was one of 50 state Superintendents of the Year recognized during the AASA National Conference on Education in February, 2022.
2021: Dr. Khalid Mumin, Reading School District
2020: Dr. David E. Baugh, Centennial School District
2019: Dr. Gennro R. Piraino, Jr., Franklin Regional School District
2018: Dr. Michael Snell, Central York School District
2017: Dr. Joseph Roy, Bethlehem Area School District
2016: Dr. Mark DiRocco, Lewisburg Area School District
2015: Dr. Emilie Lonardi, West York Area School District
2014: Dr. James Capolupo, Springfield School District
2013: Dr. William N. Miller, Tyrone Area School District
2012: Dr. Patrick T. O'Toole, Upper St. Clair School District
2011: Dr. Kathleen R. Kelley, Williamsport Area School District
2010: Dr. Amy Sichel, Abington School District
2009: Dr. James Manley, Pine-Richland School District
2008: Dr. Rudolph Karkosak, Kennett Consolidated School District
2007: Dr. Patrick Crawford, Bedford Area School District
2006: Dr. William Stavisky, Greater Latrobe School District
2005: Dr. Carol Saylor, Manheim Central School District
2004: Dr. Charles Faust, Baldwin-Whitehall School District
2003: Dr. Gary McCartney, Parkland School District
2002: Dr. William Pope, Upper St. Clair Twp. School District
2001: Dr. N. Roberts Laws, Central Bucks School District
2000: Dr. Wayne Doyle, Gateway School District