SUPERINTENDENT

Written by Brian Knavish | Photos by David Pinchot

Retiring superintendent Diane Kirk.

Fresh out of Youngstown State University, Kirk didn’t know exactly what to expect on her first day as a teacher. After four years in college, she knew the basic routine. But she also knew that there are always unknowns when you’re put in charge of your own classroom.

“My first day, I was overwhelmed and excited… but I wasn’t looking any further than just being an excellent teacher,” she said.

She knew it would be a job filled with pressure: children would view her as both a caregiver and authority figure, while their parents would scrutinize her every move.

She knew she had a passion for children and a passion for education, but she didn’t know exactly where this career as an educator would take her.

Now, in her final month as the superintendent of Peters Township School District, Kirk looks back at her 36-year career with pride. She dove into the profession with vigor, and as her love of teaching grew, so did her ambitions.

“I never imagined, on that first day as a teacher, that I would be a superintendent one day,” she said. “But it’s been rewarding.”

A native of Boardman, Ohio, Kirk taught in the Diocese of Youngstown for a year, then moved to the Pittsburgh area in 1971 when she took a job teaching at South Park Elementary School. She taught fourth, fifth and sixth grade at South Park through 1977, and at the same time furthered her own education.

Kirk earned her master’s degree at Duquesne University, and that allowed her to advance into the administrative ranks. She became the assistant principal at South Park Middle School in 1977, a position she held for 11 years.

In 1988 she was named an elementary school principal in the Shaler Area School District. While she continued to climb the educational career ladder, she continued with her own education, earning her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Kirk arrived at Peters Township School District in 1992 as an assistant superintendent. She became the district’s superintendent in 1997.

“When I started teaching, I thought I would be a teacher for life,” she said. “But some leadership opportunities came up.”

And lead she has. As superintendent, Kirk regularly interacts with students, faculty and parents. She is involved in everything from hiring teachers and implementing curriculum to the operation of facilities and budgeting. She also deals with problems as they arise and is heavily involved in strategic planning.

“I have the most exciting job,” she said. “There’s no routine. I don’t have two days that are alike.”

Her job as superintendent does not end when the business day comes to a close. Kirk’s love of the district is evident from her seemingly perpetual presence at extracurricular activities.

Peters history teacher Vaughn Dailey remembers the day that Kirk showed up at the school’s annual History Day event with a state representative in tow.

“I’ve done history day for 26 years, and I’ve never seen any superintendent from any other school at the event,” said Dailey. “Not only did she show up, she brought a state congressman with her.”

Respect and admiration are obvious when district employees talk about Kirk. That’s because she is approachable as a person, not just a boss, according to Dee Petricca, a math teacher at Peters Township Middle School.

“Most of my interaction with her hasn’t been so much on a teacher-superintendent level, but we talk on a personal level,” said Petricca. “She’s very approachable.”

As superintendent, Kirk was the face of the district. Her position earns her praise when Peters Township rakes in honors and awards, but also means that she must endure criticism.

But that kind of criticism – and even the occasional harsh words – is simply part of the job, said Kirk.

“Most of our parents are pretty responsible and respectful,” she said. “We understand parents can get frustrated, and we do get the brunt of that frustration. There are those times when people are lashing out at you because their child didn’t get the grade or didn’t do something in sports, and they vent.”

Those who know Kirk say she handles those situations with the same level-headed poise with which she runs the district.

“There are times when parents have been absolutely cruel in the things they say to her, and she has never lost her cool with a parent group,” said Dailey. “Even if an individual is less than kind to her, she is respectful… she recognizes the difference of opinion but never engages in that.”

Dailey, who has taught at Peters Township for 28 years, says Kirk is among the best administrators he’s seen.

He described her as classy, visionary, encouraging and a proud upholder of the district’s high standards.

“She sets high expectations, not only for herself, but for the students, teachers and everyone who works in the district,” said Dailey. “She expects her expectations to be met and makes sure every resource possible is available to meet those expectations. She gives 110 percent and expects you to do the same.”

Kirk says progressing from teacher to principal to superintendent has been exciting, but she does miss the close interaction with students that she had as a teacher.

“As a teacher, your largest responsibility is to form a lasting relationship with students and their families,” she said. “As an administrator, you don’t have the students in the classroom. The number of people you work with is larger. You don’t have as much interaction with the children every day, but as an administrator, you form lasting relationships with the teachers.”

While seeing students progress was rewarding when she was a teacher, Kirk said watching the district as a whole progress has been just as rewarding.

“I have been very gratified be able to hire some great employees in Peters Township who have helped us get better every year I’ve been here,” she said.

Part of the reason Kirk has been able to forge such strong relationships with her staff and faculty members is because she is approachable, said Dee Petricca, who has been a math teacher at Peters Township middle school for seven years. “Diane Kirk is simply the best,” she said.

Though Kirk will slow down her fast-paced lifestyle once she retires, she plans to remain in education in some way, perhaps as a consultant.

But Kirk will feel a bit of a sting when she leaves the Peters Township Superintendent’s Office for the last time at the end of June. And when back-to-school excitement fills the air next fall, it will be, in her words, “bittersweet.”

With retirement comes reflection. When Kirk looks back at her career, she sees an image of what she calls an “improved Peters Township School District,” which has made it all worth the work.

“Seeing the change in Peters Township the last nine years has been very rewarding,” she said. “Our kids have risen to the top in everything, from FBLA, to forensics to music. They’ve put Peters Township on the map. It’s a remarkable place to be.” •