On Monday, November 12, the Seneca Valley School Board approved of two new administrative positions that will be held at the Seneca Valley 7/8 Middle School.

  Ms. Marie Palano was appointed as the assistant principal at the middle school. The former assistant principal, Miss Andrea Peck, was appointed to take the job of principal. Both women took their new positions on Tuesday, November 27.

  Ms. Palano has been teaching Spanish at the middle school since 2002, and is the world language department chair. She has also served on a variety of committees at Seneca Valley, including the multicultural committee, the new world language curriculum writing committee for Spanish and French, and the health and wellness committee. Ms. Palano was also on the committee that helped Seneca Valley Middle School win the Don Eicchorn Schools To Watch Award in 2011.

  The former Spanish teacher has teaching experience at Prospect Middle School in Pittsburgh, and Lancaster and Central High schools in Buffalo, New York. According to the Seneca Valley School district website, “she earned her bachelor of arts from Mercyhurst College in 2011, her post bacheloriate credits in French and Italian from the University of Pittsburgh, her master’s degree in reading from Slippery Rock in 2005 and her principal certification from Gannon University in 2007”.

  Miss Peck is taking over the job of principal at the school. A former sixth grade science teacher at Pine Richland middle school, she “absolutely loved teaching”, but feels like she could have more of an impact on students if she holds an administrative position. “I could have a greater impact on more students. I enjoy planning opportunities for the entire school and sharing best practice with staff. I can also collaborate with others in a variety of capacities beyond what I would be permitted to do as a teacher,” she says.

  Now Miss Peck has a higher position in the school, her job responsibilities have gotten greater. “I am more of the ultimate decision-maker and oversee everything that goes on in the middle school. I have to wear ‘many hats’, be extremely flexible and almost be prepared to deal with any situation that may come my way. Fortunately I have many individuals I collaborate with on a daily basis, so even though my role is ‘leader’ I am also a team player,” she states.