USC’s Ghilani named Principal of the Year
Upper St. Clair High School Principal Michael P. Ghilani was recently selected as the 2013 Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principal of the Year.
Ghilani has been principal at Upper St. Clair High School since August 2006 and began his tenure with the school district in August 2001 as the high school assistant principal and dean of students.
“I believe in a strong communicative process and structure that involves teachers, staff, students and parents,” Ghilani said. “It is important to know and understand the pulse of the building community when planning for new programs and initiatives. Our school is truly student-centered and feedback from teachers, students and parents is a key. My strengths as a relational and visionary leader have been allowed to flourish at Upper St. Clair because of the great people I work with and a very supportive superintendent and school board that truly make children our priority.”
He earned his bachelor of science degree in psychology and his teaching certification from Washington & Jefferson College, and his master of education degree in school counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. His doctorate in counseling and supervision was awarded by Duquesne University.
Ghilani completed the principal certification program at Carnegie Mellon University and received his superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Gannon University.
“Dr. Ghilani’s vision for student success has established Upper St. Clair High School as a nationally recognized, dynamic learning community,” said school district superintendent Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole.