Pine-Richland School District

Pine-Richland School District welcomed Dr. Kristen Justus to serve as assistant superintendent of elementary education and curriculum in March of 2017.  

Prior, Dr. Justus served as principal of Ingomar Elementary School since 2011. Before her arrival at Ingomar Elementary, Dr. Justus served as assistant principal at Ingomar Middle School for three years, after spending one year in the role of lead teacher in the same building during the 2007-2008 school year. In 2010, she also served in the capacity of acting principal at Ingomar Middle School. Prior to taking on these administrative roles, she taught German at Ingomar Middle School, North Allegheny Senior High, North Allegheny Intermediate High School, and in the Norwin School District, where she taught a variety of introductory, essentials, academic, and honors German courses across the seventh through twelfth-grade spans.

Dr. Justus earned a Doctor of Philosophy in organizational learning and leadership from Gannon University, where she completed her superintendent letter of eligibility.  She earned a Master of Education in curriculum & instruction from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, as well as her principal certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Education in secondary education with a certification in K-12 German from Pennsylvania State University.

Pine-Richland is home for Dr. Justus, who graduated from Pine-Richland High School. She says returning to Pine-Richland will be a deeply meaningful and rewarding experience and allow her to give back to the community which educated her.

Education

• American Association of School Administrators
• Phi Delta Kappa
• ASCD Member
• PAESSP & NAESSP Member
• Former Pennsylvania Middle School Association, Western Region Board Member
• Mid Atlantic Alliance for Performance Excellence Examiner (2019)
• Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner (2020)

• Student Growth and Achievement: Assistant superintendent uses multiple data sources to assess student success and growth as appropriate, specific to needs within the district, and as determined annually in collaboration with the PR Board of School Directors. Annual or other district performance objectives are articulated and clearly achieved under the direction of the superintendent relative to achievement and growth on PDE-required assessments including, but not limited to, PSSA, PVAAS, Keystone Exams, and other locally determined measures.
  
  
• Organizational Leadership: Assistant Superintendent works collaboratively with the board to develop a vision for the district, displays an ability to identify and rectify problems affecting the district, works collaboratively with District Administration to ensure best practices for instruction, supervision, curriculum development, and management are being utilized and works to influence the climate and culture of the district.
  
  
• District Operations and Financial Management: Assistant Superintendent manages effectively, ensuring completion of activities associated with the annual budget; overseeing the distribution of resources in support of District priorities; and directing overall operational activities within the district.
  
  
• Communication and Community Relations: Assistant Superintendent communicates with and effectively engages the staff, the Board, and members of the community, clearly articulating District goals and priorities, addressing local and broader issues affecting the district, and building support for District initiatives, programs, and short/long-range plans.
  
  
• Human Resource Management: Assistant Superintendent incorporates best practices for human resource management and oversight, coordinating staffing, recruitment, and other human resource functions.
  
  
• Professionalism: Assistant Superintendent models professional decision-making processes and ethical standards consistent with the values of Pennsylvania’s public education system as well as that of the Pine-Richland community. Assistant Superintendent additionally works to individually reflect upon his effectiveness within the role, and works to improve effectiveness through the use of professional development literature and activities.