Upper St. Clair Principal Named Top in State

Dr. Michael P. Ghilani, Upper St. Clair High School principal, has been selected as the 2013 Pennsylvania Association of Elementary & Secondary School Principals (PAESSP) Principal of the Year.

Dr. Ghilani has been the principal at Upper St. Clair High since August 2006. He began his tenure with the Upper St. Clair School District in August 2001 as the high school's assistant principal/dean of students.

Ghilani's "open-door policy" has allowed for open communication between teachers, students, staff and parents, according to a news release. This feedback system has allowed many programs to form under his leadership. These programs include the school's 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.

"I believe in a strong communicative process and structure that involves teachers, staff, students and parents," Ghilani stated. "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."

Said district Superintendent Dr. Patrick T. O'Toole, "Dr. Ghilani's vision for student success has established Upper St. Clair High School as a nationally recognized, dynamic learning community."

Ghilani has been a member of PAESSP/National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for 12 years. He is also a board member for the South Hills Area School Districts Principals' Association and the Carnegie Science Center's Chevron STEM Advisory Board.

Ghilani earned his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and his teacher's certification from Washington & Jefferson College and his Master of Education degree in school counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. He received his Doctor of Education degree in counseling and supervision from Duquesne University. Additionally, he completed the principal's certification program at Carnegie Mellon University and received his superintendent's letter of eligibility from Gannon University.