New assistant principal joins O'Hara Elementary - TribLIVE

An elementary school in the Fox Chapel Area School District has a new assistant principal.

Benjamin Canan, 34, joined O’Hara Elementary School this month as program principal, the official name for the role.

He said he seeks to bring a personalized approach to helping lead the school and promises to be “everywhere” on campus.

“I think it’s important to be visible during the school day. My goal is to get to know our students and teachers by being in the classrooms, at lunch and recess, and when the kids arrive and at dismissal,” Canan said.

O’Hara Elementary enrolls 700 students in grades K-5.

Canan graduated from Moon Area High School and earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania.

He previously served as assistant principal and director of summer programs at Mellon Middle School in the Mt. Lebanon School District and as a third, fifth and eighth grade teacher in the Moon Area School District.

“I loved my time at Mt. Lebanon but I wanted an opportunity to work in an elementary building,” Canan said.

Canan lives in Carnegie with his wife, Keira, who taught in the Butler Area School District, and their two young children.

Outside of work, Canan is an avid runner who competes in marathons. He also enjoys woodworking and building custom furniture.

“I want our school to be somewhere kids look forward to attending each and every day. I’ll strive to do whatever I can to contribute a positive culture for our students, families and staff,” Canan said.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce at 724-226-7725 , jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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New assistant principal joins O'Hara Elementary - TribLIVE
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