LEARNING AND GROWTH A TOP PRIORITY FOR NEW ADMINISTRATOR
LEARNING AND GROWTH A TOP PRIORITY FOR NEW ADMINISTRATOR
While most people might not enjoy the difficult and tedious job of analyzing data , it is a strong suit of Fox Chapel Area School District ’ s new director of student achievement and instructional verification .
“ I have always enjoyed analyzing student achievement data and then connecting results to instructional practices ,” said G . Daniel DiDesiderio , Ed . D . “ Great school districts have an understanding of how their various assessments of students not only help them meet the academic learning standards , but to exceed them as well .”
Dr . DiDesiderio comes to Fox Chapel Area from the Seneca Valley School District where he served as a principal at Haine Middle School for more than three years . He also served as an elementary principal in the Montour School District and , earlier in his career , was both a teacher and an assistant principal in the Greenville Area School District .
According to Dr . DiDesiderio , it ’ s not enough that school districts analyze student data . They must respond to it in a strategic way and adjust teaching and learning in order to help students reach their fullest potentials .
“ My experience in multiple levels as a principal has helped me to understand that student achievement data is only as good as the response to it . School leaders and teachers must interpret the data in a way that promotes progressive changes to how instruction is delivered ,” he said . “ I will help our staff further recognize the abilities of our students in order to promote the highest level of learning in the classroom .”
What interested him most in working for Fox Chapel Area is the district ’ s commitment to improving student achievement and that the district has set student learning and growth as a top priority . Dr . DiDesiderio has been impressed by not only the district ’ s high standards for learning , but also the support and resources provided for its students . “ Fox Chapel Area School District is focused on student achievement and growth beyond the standards set forth by the state ,” he said . “ This level of focus is not something you can find in many school districts .”
Dr . DiDesiderio strongly believes that all students deserve a solid educational background that will challenge and enrich their lives for years to come . “ All of my professional goals center around maximizing rigorous learning opportunities for students and ensuring that they are prepared for their next steps , whether it be post-secondary education or the workforce ,” he stated .
Dr . DiDesiderio started working in the Fox Chapel Area School District at the end of February and replaced Alicia Gismondi who retired in April . He has a bachelor ’ s degree in music education and a master ’ s degree from Westminster College . He has a doctorate degree from Capella University . His doctoral research topic was “ Data Analysis to Guide Instruction and
“ Fox Chapel Area School District is focused on student achievement and growth beyond the standards set forth by the state . This level of focus is not something you can find in many school districts .”
Focus Student Learning Goals .” He pointed out that it was one of only a few current research pieces that focuses on both analysis and the instructional response .
Originally from New Wilmington , Dr . DiDesiderio now resides in Moon Township with his wife Anne . School roots run deep in the DiDesiderio household as Anne is an elementary school teacher in the Upper St . Clair School District . They have two small children and , as a family , they enjoy traveling and biking on local railway trails . Additionally , in his spare time , Dr . DiDesiderio likes to cook and grill and also enjoys outdoor activities such as boating , hiking , hunting , and fishing . He also coaches his older son ’ s soccer team .
Photo Courtesy Hill ’ s Studio ox Chapel Area FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL NEWS
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