Pine-Richland School District (PRSD) is welcoming an assistant principal to Pine-Richland High School. The Pine-Richland School Board approved the appointment of Mr. Robert Puskas at a combined board meeting that was held on July 16, 2018.
"We are pleased to welcome Mr. Puskas to Pine-Richland,” said Dr. Brian Miller, PRSD superintendent. “He has a diverse set of experiences both within and outside of the field of education. Along with Mrs. Nancy Bowman and Ms. Stephanie Svilar, we look forward to his leadership at the high school."
Mr. Puskas has been serving as an advanced placement environmental science teacher in the Blackhawk School District since 2013. In addition to advanced placement environmental science, he has taught a myriad of science courses including Keystone biology remediation and general and laboratory biology. Prior to Blackhawk, he taught advanced placement biology and science for the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School for three years.
“We are excited for Mr. Puskas to join the administrative team,” said Dr. Michael Pasquinelli, assistant superintendent for secondary education and curriculum. “His understanding and experiences with S.T.E.A.M learning activities will help us to find new and innovative ways to engage our students.”
He earned the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers in 2016. He was selected for excellence in his teaching ability, inventiveness, initiative, and cooperation within the school and community.
Additionally, PRHS Principal Nancy Bowman added that Mr. Puskas is in tune with the district values of personal growth, resilience, innovation, diverse opportunities, and engagement. She is thrilled to welcome him to the high school team and looking forward to working with him.
Mr. Puskas also served as the president of the Blackhawk Education Association and is a member of the district’s technology council.
Prior to education, he worked as a field biologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Wildlife Research Center for six years.
He is completing a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership and earned his secondary biology and principal certifications from Robert Morris University, where he earned the Dean’s’ Teaching Fellow Award for Biology Education. Mr. Puskas earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife & Fisheries Science from the Penn State University.
“I am really proud and honored to be joining the Pine-Richland School District family,” said Mr. Puskas. “I am excited to begin the new school year.”
Mr. Puskas replaces Assistant Principal Laura Burns, who was named principal at Highland Elementary School in the Ambridge Area School District.
