Community Leader: Joseph Pasquerilla
You can say education is in Joseph Pasquerilla’s blood.
The newly-named Bethel Park School District superintendent grew up in the Youngstown, Ohio, area surrounded by educators – both of his parents were teachers. And his sister is a teacher, too.
“I always loved working with children,” said Pasquerilla, 35, who was hired as the district’s top administrator in January following a five-month search to replace Nancy Aloi Rose, who will retire in June. “The best part is to go into the classroom and see what they are learning.”
Bethel Park’s new superintendent, who is in the process of learning the ins and outs of his new district, is a veteran of the education system.
Pasquerilla, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Youngstown State University; and his doctor of education from the University of Pittsburgh, comes to the district from Northgate School District in the North Hills, where he has served as superintendent since July 2012. He was previously with the Ambridge Area School District, where he was the director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, as well as assistant to the superintendent.
He began his teaching career in the West Middlesex Area school District and has also served as principal of Northway Elementary School in the North Hills School District.
“I always enjoyed school and was a member of the Future Teachers of America,” said Pasquerilla during a recent interview at the Bethel Park School District offices. “I have spent time in each of the ranks and feel like I am grounded to handle this job.”
The Bethel Park School District has an enrollment of around 4,500 and includes eight schools and one online school.
“He is a respected educator and leader with a strong work ethic, who is highly dedicated to his students and their successes,” said Donna Cook, Bethel Park School Board president, in a statement. “He takes great pride in supporting his staff members and we are confident of his ability to partner with us in leading the Bethel Park School District into the future.”
One of Pasquerilla’s goals, when he officially takes over the leadership reins later this year at a date still to be determined, is to work on the continued growth and development of the district’s STEM and STEAM programs, which promotes Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Art in classrooms with the overall goal of helping students go on to one day find high-paying jobs with the overall goal of boosting the nation’s economy.
“They (the teachers) have done an excellent job with student achievement,” he said.
The district teachers can expect to find that their new superintendent has an open door policy because he believes in collaboration when it comes to education. It is a team effort, he said.
“I am someone who is visible and hard working,” said Pasquerilla, who has a five-year contract with the district that pays him a salary of $152,500 a year. “I try to be hands-on and am someone who trusts in their staff.”
Transitioning into a new job has left little free time for Pasquerilla, who lives in Ohio Township with his wife, Felicia. The couple is expecting their first child this summer.
But, when he does have free time, Pasquerilla said he likes to workout and lift weights. He is also an avid University of Pittsburgh sports fan who tries to attend as many football and basketball games as possible.
“When Pitt played Youngstown State in football, I liked to tell people that I couldn’t lose that day,” said Pasquerilla, adding that people may be surprised to learn he is also a fan of the Ohio State University.
“I was raised in Ohio,” he said.