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(Harrisburg, PA)—Dr. Barbara A. Rudiak, immediate past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) and the executive director, school management, K-5 elementary schools for the Pittsburgh School District, was honored as the outgoing president by her peers and invited guests at the fifteenth annual PAESSP State Conference in Camp Hill, Pa. Dr. Rudiak was presented with a plaque and a ring for her exemplary service to the association in 2006-2007 during the annual banquet held at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel on Sunday, October 21, 2007.

Dr. Rudiak turned the president’s gavel over to Michael E. Allison, PAESSP’s 2007-2008 president, at the association’s annual business meeting on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. Mr. Allison is the principal of Hopewell Senior High School in Aliquippa, Pa.

Previously, she served as principal of Phillips Elementary School in the Pittsburgh School District for 13 years. She began her career in education as a middle school teacher for 14 years. She also served as a supervisor of a school improvement program for two years and an assistant principal for two years.

A member of PAESSP and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for 13 years, Dr. Rudiak served as the West IV elementary regional representative to the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary School Principals (PAESP) board of directors and the PAESSP board of directors for five years. She served as a member of the PAESSP Conference Committee in 2001 and 2006; and as the PAESSP federal relations coordinator for two years. She attended the National Principals’ Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., in 2001. In addition, she has attended seven PAESSP state conferences; the NAESP/National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Leaders’ Conference in Washington, D.C., for three years; and the Northeast Regional Elementary Principals’ Conference for two years.

Dr. Rudiak was the recipient of Pennsylvania’s National Distinguished Principal (NDP) Award in 2003.

She is involved in various Pittsburgh School District committees, and has served on the executive board for the Pittsburgh Administrators’ Association for 15 years.

Dr. Rudiak earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s of education degree from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

PAESSP’s Mission: The Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals is dedicated to assuring that every Pennsylvania child receives the very best education possible. In carrying out this mission, the association recognizes that the early elementary years are most crucial to successful lifelong learning, that appropriate middle level programs are essential for successful adolescent maturation and development and that strong high school programs are critical for preparing youth for successful entry and transition into adulthood.

PAESSP recognizes an obligation to make continuing contributions toward strengthening the principalship and the profession. The association is committed to providing critical professional growth opportunities through training programs, opportunities for constructive professional mentoring and relationships, publications, conferences and professional meetings and activities aimed at helping aspiring principals in reaching their goals and practicing principals to hone their skills.