Local People
- Last Updated on Thursday, 01 August 2013 04:56
Dr. Michael P. Ghilani, Upper St. Clair High School Principal, has been selected as the 2013 Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principal (PAESSP) of the Year.
 Dr. Michael P. Ghilani
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Dr. Ghilani, a former Union Township resident, and Ringgold High School graduate, has been the Principal at Upper St. Clair High School since August 2006. He began his tenure with the School District in August 2001 as the High School Assistant Principal/Dean of Students.
Dr. Ghilani’s “open-door policy” has allowed for open communication between teachers, students, staff and parents. This effective feedback system has allowed many programs to form under his leadership. These programs include the Asian Studies program, Student Leadership Academy, student mentoring program, and the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) program and STEM center. Exposing students to Asian culture has allowed for the development of a Chinese and Thai exchange program that gives students an opportunity to visit China and Thailand, and teachers and administrators from these countries a chance to visit Upper St. Clair High School.
“I believe in a strong communicative process and structure that involves teachers, staff, students and parents. It is important to know and understand the pulse of the building and 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,” stated Dr. Ghilani.
Dr. Ghilani earned his bachelor of science degree in psychology, his teacher certification from Washington and Jefferson College and his master of education degree in school counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. He received his Ed.D. in counseling and supervision from Duquesne University. Additionally, he completed the principal certification program at Carnegie Mellon University and received his Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Gannon University.
Dr. Ghilani’s “open-door policy” has allowed for open communication between teachers, students, staff and parents. This effective feedback system has allowed many programs to form under his leadership. These programs include the Asian Studies program, Student Leadership Academy, student mentoring program, and the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) program and STEM center. Exposing students to Asian culture has allowed for the development of a Chinese and Thai exchange program that gives students an opportunity to visit China and Thailand, and teachers and administrators from these countries a chance to visit Upper St. Clair High School.
“I believe in a strong communicative process and structure that involves teachers, staff, students and parents. It is important to know and understand the pulse of the building and 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,” stated Dr. Ghilani.
Dr. Ghilani earned his bachelor of science degree in psychology, his teacher certification from Washington and Jefferson College and his master of education degree in school counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. He received his Ed.D. in counseling and supervision from Duquesne University. Additionally, he completed the principal certification program at Carnegie Mellon University and received his Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Gannon University.
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