Three New Board Members Take the Oath of Office as Board Elects New Leadership

 Sala Udin Named Board President for First Term

PITTSBURGH, December 6, 2021 –Three newly elected District representatives joined the Board of Education for the Pittsburgh Public Schools following a swearing-in ceremony held this evening. Tracey Reed (District 5), Jamie Piotrowski (District 7) and Gene Walker (District 9) each took the Oath of Office.  Board Members Sala Udin and Sylvia Wilson were also sworn in for additional terms of service. 

Following the administration of the Oath of Office, Board Members elected officers for the 2022 fiscal year.  Sala Udin was elected President, Devon Taliaferro was elected First-Vice President, and Pamela Harbin was elected Second-Vice President.  The Board also elected Interim Superintendent Dr. Wayne N. Walters as Secretary of the Board, along with four Assistant Secretaries and a School Treasurer.   

Three New Board Members Take Oath of Office

Ms. Tracey Reed – District 5

Ms. Reed grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Beltzhoover Elementary School.  She taught high school English in Frederick, Maryland.  Currently a Program Officer at The Grable Foundation, Ms. Reed has obtained a B.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Educational Policy from the University of Virginia.  Ms. Reed serves on the boards of A+ Schools, Connecting Champions, and Women for a Healthy Environment.  

Ms. Jamie Piotrowski – District 7

Pittsburgh native, Jamie Piotrowski, has worked on community planning and development initiatives in Pittsburgh and towns, cities, and boroughs throughout the United States.  She currently serves as Community Project Manager for Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh, where she continues her advocacy and leads community-based projects.  Ms. Piotrowski began her career in social work in 2014 as a Refugee Resettlement Case Manager for Catholic Charities in Pittsburgh. She also spent time as a Direct Care Specialist for young teen girls in independent living facilities before graduating. During her studies at the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. Piotrowski participated in Bridging the Gaps (2017) to promote public health in underserved communities, where she co-created the "Stand Up. Speak Out Curriculum", a facilitator's guide on anti-bullying and restorative exercises for youth and teens in Clairton. Ms. Piotrowski also studied abroad in Havana, Cuba, and Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Ms. Piotrowski holds a B.A. in Sociology-Family Studies from Waynesburg University, a Master's Degree in International Development (Governance and International Public Management), and a Master's in Social Work (Community Organizing), both from the University of Pittsburgh. A licensed Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, she has completed the City of Pittsburgh’s Civic Leadership Academy (2014) and is a New Leaders Council - Pittsburgh Chapter (2021) graduate.  Ms. Piotrowski resides in the Carrick neighborhood with her husband, Geoffrey.

Mr. Gene Walker – District 9

Gene Walker has worked in finance, education, direct support, marketing, and nonprofit management. He is a graduate of Peabody High School and received his bachelor’s degree in business and accounting from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Walker returned to Pittsburgh in 2009 to work alongside the team at the Pittsburgh Promise in various capacities, including becoming the first Director of Workforce Development in 2015. During his time with the Promise, he was responsible for creating numerous programs, including the District’s We Promise program focused on African American male mentoring, The Promise college tours, and The Promise ambassador program. In 2018, Mr. Walker left The Promise to launch a new nonprofit, Mission C, to provide financial education and support for families facing eviction. In 2019, he left Mission C to support adults with intellectual and physical disabilities with Gene Cook Supports Inc. That same year he became an Accredited Financial Counselor and now provides affordable personal finance management counseling to individuals and families. Mr. Walker and his wife Jenny have two children, both recent graduates of Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The chart below shares the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Members and the District each represents.