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Pittsburgh Board of Public Education Names Dr. Wayne N. Walters as Interim Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools
Dr. Walters is District’s Longest-Serving Central Office Administrator Most Recently as Assistant Superintendent
PITTSBURGH, September 29, 2021 – Tonight, at its September Legislative Meeting, the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education named Dr. Wayne N. Walters as Interim Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools in a unanimous vote by its nine-member Board. Dr. Walters begins his role in the top leadership post on Friday, October 1, 2021, and will continue in this capacity for one year or until a permanent Superintendent is hired and on board.
Dr. Walters has worked his entire professional career for the Pittsburgh Public Schools and has more than 30 years’ experience with PPS, the second-largest public school system in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has experience as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent of 6-12 Schools, and, most recently, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Development and Special Programming.
“Dr. Walters is no stranger to us. We know firsthand that his commitment to Pittsburgh Public Schools and the City of Pittsburgh is unwavering,” stated Sylvia Wilson, Board President. “Couple this with Dr. Walters’ depth of experience and unmatched skill level, we could not be more pleased that Dr. Walters has agreed to serve as Interim Superintendent. We needed someone who could immediately step into this critically important role and begin to immediately address the many priorities in the District. Even though we had an excellent pool of Interim Superintendent candidates, Dr. Walters stood out as the best.”
Coming from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Dr. Walters came to Pittsburgh when he was 16 to attend Carnegie Mellon University, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music performance/music education in 1990. At age 21, he started his first teaching position at King Elementary on Pittsburgh’s North Side. By 1998, he received a Masters’ degree in Music Education/Technology from Duquesne University; and earned a Doctor of Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007.
The 51-year-old educator said he always has had a passion for working directly with students with the goal of making an impact on their lives through education. When asked about his proudest achievement, Dr. Walters says without hesitancy: “It’s what I have been able to do for students.” He pursued the Interim Superintendent position because, “When there’s an opportunity to serve, I want to step up. Children’s lives are on the line, and we need to elevate the quality of teaching and accelerate learning for all students.” This devotion comes through his often used expression such as “because of the students” and “students first” in making decisions with students first in mind.
In addition, Dr. Walters hopes to address and advance organizational cohesion in the District through systems-oriented thinking. He also aims to cultivate stakeholder relationships through collaboration, trust, and clear communications. “We’re all here for the same reason: We want Pittsburgh Public Schools to be the best it can be,” said Dr. Walters.
“We have an incredibly hardworking staff, the best teachers and devoted administrators—and all of us have the great responsibility and privilege of educating our students. We remain committed to our core function and that is helping students learn to their fullest abilities,” said Dr. Walters. Under his leadership as Principal, Barack Obama Academy of International Studies placed in the top 10 percent national ranking of Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report after two years in existence as a 6-12 school.
Board President Wilson noted that Dr. Walters is “assuming this responsibility at a time when the District needed stabilization and healing. He is ready for this challenge and opportunity.”
Earlier this month, the Board voted to accept Dr. Anthony Hamlet’s resignation as Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools after he resigned on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Beginning in December, the incoming School Board will direct the national search for a permanent Superintendent.