Dr. Wayne N. Walters – Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools On July 21, 2022, the Pittsburgh Board of Education announced that Dr. Wayne N. Walters will serve as Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools. Dr. Walters assumed the top leadership post on August 1, 2022, following the 10-month period where he served as interim Superintendent.

5 Priority Goals The five priority goals articulate key strategies aimed at improving Culture, Systems, and Instruction in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Implementing these priority goals begins with inquiry. The conclusions emerging from this process will outline a collaborative and strategic approach to solve our challenges with student outcomes and experiences.
Priority Goal #1 Invest in culturally responsive, evidence-based training, tools, and instructional practices. Click to Learn More!
Priority Goal #2 Construct safety, health, and wellness protocols. Click to Learn More!
Priority Goal #3 Expand stakeholder communication and partnerships. Click to Learn More!
Priority Goal #4 Design effective organizational systems
Priority Goal #5 Strategically allocate resources to ensure equity, excellence, and efficiency. Click to Learn More!
Learn More Click here to read the full priority goals.

About

Dr. Walters has worked his entire professional career for the Pittsburgh Public Schools and has more than 30 years of 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, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Development and Special Programming, and served as interim Superintendent until assuming the role of Superintendent on August 1, 2022.

Growing up in 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 Master's degree in Music Education/Technology from Duquesne University; and earned a Doctor of Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007.

Following his role as Assistant Principal of Northview Heights Elementary (1999-2000), Dr. Walters served as Principal of the Frick International Studies Academy 6-8 (2000-2008). He then served as the first Principal of Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy of International Studies, leading the transition of the premier 6-12 magnet school in its current East Liberty location. In 2014, Dr. Walters also became Assistant Superintendent of 6-12 schools while remaining principal of Pittsburgh Obama. In 2017, the certified trainer and facilitator became Assistant Superintendent of Professional Development and Special Programming, leading the implementation of professional development plans for teachers, administrators, and central office staff.

Dr. Walters has 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 permanent Superintendent position because, “I remain unapologetically student-centered, committed, and passionate about our students, teachers, staff, and families of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. I know firsthand the many challenges our District faces, but I believe competence, confidence, and collaboration go a long way in creating quality, equity, well-rounded experiences and spaces of learning and joy for our students. I am genuinely excited about the tremendous opportunities ahead.”

Key Accomplishments

Initiated the “A Fresh Start for the Head and Heart” program designed to create a positive school culture while developing systems and instruction to invigorate teaching, learning, and leadership across the District;

Addressed and remedied transportation and technology distribution challenges within the first month of leading the District, and offered professional learning opportunities in trauma-informed care, and content-specific and special education topics;

Managed the health and safety of students and staff while maintaining efficient and effective operations and educational delivery during the ever-changing dynamics of a pandemic;

Supervised and coached all administrative chiefs and assistant superintendents in alignment with the District’s Theory of Action by outlining expectations for a highperformance culture, developing and communicating coherent systems, and coordinating and supporting instruction with an equity focus;

Invested in resources, programming, and strategies to attract and retain employees, strengthen the development of teacher leaders and aspiring principals;

Designed and facilitated leadership retreats to build the capacity and clarity of the work of assistant superintendents as principal supervisors associated with processes and supports in alignment with PA Act 13 expectations;

Worked to develop positive Administration-Board relationships that are collaborative, productive, and effective;

Expanded the Leadership Team beyond administrative chiefs to include communication leads, assistant superintendents, and the Equity Director to allow additional perspectives, eliminate departmental and hierarchical silos, and create interdependent collaboration with the goal of fostering a culture that elevates quality teaching and learning for all students;

Implemented a strategic planning process with the Leadership Team to develop systems that address and advance organizational cohesion in our District;

Elevated and expanded opportunities for students’ voices to inform decision-making;

Created protocols to improve consistent internal and external communication by developing a streamlined process and sequence for communicating with all stakeholder groups; and

Developed core relationships and new partnerships with the Mayor’s office, surrounding universities, community-based groups, and the philanthropic community to garner support to advance the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.

2023-2024 STUDENT OUTCOME GOALS

Please see student outcome goals that have been identified for the 23-24 school year pending board approval. These student outcome goals were approved by the Board of Directors for the 22-23 school year. As the student outcome goals are based on a five-year continuum, the proposed student outcome goals have remained the same.

In the academic areas (PSSA Math, ELA Science and Keystone Algebra, Literature, Biology), the identified student outcome goals address overall student outcomes as well as racial and disability disparities. As the district works to create a new five-year strategic plan, the proposed student outcome goals may warrant revision.

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Superintendent News

Design Principles

The use of Design Principles can serve as a powerful tool to help the District reach Priority Goal 5. Design principles are value statements that can help the community frame what matters and inform the tough decisions the Pittsburgh Public Schools must make related to the strategic allocation of resources to ensure equity, excellence and efficiency.The Superintendent’s leadership team drafted Design Principles in four areas to frame potential decisions based on best-practices.

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A Conversation of Strategy to Drive Equity, Excellence, and Efficiency in PPS

Tuesday March 7, 2023 Education Committee Meeting

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Superintendent Pause to Proposed Calendar Modifications

Superintendent Pause to Proposed Calendar Modifications

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Women Who Lead

March is Women’s History Month. The month provides the opportunity to learn more about the monumental, groundbreaking work women have performed worldwide. To celebrate women locally, Dr. Wayne N. Walters is looking for 100 Women Who Lead to support a middle school (grades 6-8) career exploration day on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 9:30 – 11:00 AM.

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