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Area principals honored for commitment to excellence

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Amanda Beckett

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Dr. Brett Bielewicz


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For the last five years, valuable Allegheny County principals have been recognized for their work, which may at times go unnoticed.

The Most Valuable Principals (MVP) program – a partnership of the Grable Foundation, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Pittsburgh Penguins – honors principals for their innovative leadership, dedication to student success and commitment to excellence.

Among the 15 honored this year are Amanda Beckett, assistant principal at Chartiers Valley Intermediate School, and Dr. Brett Bielewicz, principal of Jefferson Elementary School in the Mt. Lebanon School District.

Principals from Allegheny County’s 42 suburban public-school districts are considered. More than 300 nominations were received this year.

“It’s really the principal who sets the tone, and we learn again and again how important that tone is from everything from academic outcomes to student attendance to graduation rates,” said Ryan Rydzewski, Grable Foundation communications officer. “The work of principals is so often invisible to people outside of a school building. If you’re a parent, when you interact with a principal, it’s usually bad news. We really wanted to recognize and celebrate the hard and important work that principals do because they don’t always get the positive spotlight that they deserve.”

Bielewicz and Beckett were touched by the recognition.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Bielewicz said. “It was a really fun surprise because it was a school community family member who nominated me, so it was unexpected. It’s an honor and a privilege. It feels nice to be validated that the work that you’re doing is having an impact beyond just my office, beyond just the four walls of the building. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and loved the idea of having an impact bigger than you.”

“It’s really kind,” added Beckett, who admitted she likes to fly under the radar. “I’m OK if I just come to work every day and do my job, but it is really kind that someone nominated me, and I’m just appreciative of the opportunity.”

Dr. Jill Jacoby, assistant executive director of teaching and learning for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, said a number of categories are considered when selecting the MVPs. They include what sets the principal apart from others, how they have improved the lives of students, and how they have built relationships with students, families and communities.

Nominations are submitted by community members, parents, colleagues and supervisors, and the MVPs are selected by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Nominations are taken each year in October.

“Principals are an important part of the school landscape, and I think sometimes they don’t get the limelight because they’re just keeping their head down and doing their job,” Jacoby said.

“We need to celebrate them. There’s so many good things that happen, especially at a building level with principals that we really want to make sure they get honored.”

Bielewicz is in his seventh year as principal at Jefferson Elementary School. One of the features at the school of which he is most proud is the positive behavior program, which he feels is helping to create the next generation of good citizens.

“Our three big mottos are being respectful, responsible and ready,” he said. “That crosses all realms of whether it’s academic, whether it’s social or whether it’s emotional. We have a rather integrated approach to making sure students feel seen, valued, loved and respected, but also that they feel prepared to tackle whatever the world is bringing their way.”

Beckett has been in her current position for 2½ years. She said there are many great programs at the school such as a student ambassador program, Kindness Crew, Unity Team, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Patrol and peer helpers

“CV is a very diverse district,” she said. “We have kids that get to learn from other people. It’s been really great to see how it’s evolved since I started working at Chartiers Valley and how accepting kids can be of other people.”

The principals will be honored at a Penguins’ game March 22, where they will receive two Party Suite tickets, a customized Pens jersey sporting their names, and a $1,000 donation to their school.

“(The Penguins) have always been a great supporter of this program,” Rydzewski said. “It means a lot to the principals. Sometimes they don’t even know they are nominated. They are just bowled over to find out that they’ve won.”