USC administrator named finalist for Women in School Leadership Award

Sharon Suritsky said women have come a long way in administrative positions in the education system. But she also knows there’s still a long way to go.
That’s why Suritsky, the deputy/assistant superintendent at Upper St. Clair, is proud of her recent recognition from the American Association of School Administrators and sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Suritsky is one of two finalists for Women in School Leadership Award in the Central Office/Principal category.
“I think that women have made a lot of gains, but when you look at the stats, women are underrepresented at the higher levels, and I think that’s important,” Suritsky said, referencing an AASA statistic that less than 25 percent of district administrators are women. “It means a lot to be a finalist for an award that recognizes that women are still underrepresented but that they are really good leaders and that they bring something to the table.”
For Suritsky, the last 21 years in the Upper St. Clair School District have been about the relationships she’s built with people in the district and in the community.
“I think it really means a lot to me to be recognized as a woman to be a leader for as long as I have,” Suritsky said. “I’m proud of the fact that I care about people and that I’ve built a lot of relationships, but within that I’m still able to do the kinds of things I’m able to do as a leader to make the other people around me successful.”
As an administrator, and a mother of a 12-year-old daughter, Suritsky wants to empower younger women, and she thinks that is something the education system as a whole can improve.
“I think we have to informally continue to encourage women to consider the possibility,” Suritsky said. “We have to create better mentoring programs with women. I think what happens with women is they have creative skills but they don’t have the confidence to step into that role. I think we have to encourage and mentor women and talk through what are the challenges that you would face as a woman to address those challenges.”
Suritsky said USC is doing a good job of portraying to girls the opportunities for them in education administration.
“We have other successful female administrators, and we have some incredible teachers who are very successful and do a great job for kids,” she said. “Hopefully that is something that young girls see and take some faith in that.”
Suritsky will find out if she won the award in mid-February at the AASA National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn. The other finalist is Tania Tong, director of special education and student services at Medford School District in Medford, Ore.
Candidates for the national award are judged on their leadership in enhancing the learning of students, personal and organizational communication and active community involvement.
Suritsky was nominated for the award by Superintendent Patrick O’Toole.
“She communicates well by sharing her thoughts and ideas, lets others’ strength and personal character show through, empowering them to strive to give 110 percent to the organization,” O’Toole said in a written statement.
Suritsky started her career in education as a special education teacher, and she has always taught special education courses at Duquesne and Penn State. She joined the USC administrative staff in 1996 as supervisor of special education before being promoted to assistant superintendent in 2012 and deputy/assistant superintendent in 2014.
Suritsky has also served on the program committee for the Dr. Jean E Winsand Institute for Women in Leadership since 2014. In 2016, Suritsky was named the Jean Winsand Distinguished Female Educator from the Tri-State Area School Study Council.
“It’s phenomenal to have been in this place for this many years,” Suritsky said. “The Upper St. Clair School District is a place that has values that match my values as a person.”