New assistant principal at Kiski Area Upper Elementary brings homegrown passion to role - TribLIVE

A familiar face has a new leadership role at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School in Washington Township.

Maggie Nicholas, a longtime teacher at the school, became assistant principal at KAUE on Jan. 3. She replaced Dan Smith, who moved to a new position as the district’s technology integration specialist.

For the past 10 years, Nicholas has taught reading, math and learning support at the school. She also spent a year at Kiski Area High School.

Additionally, she has served as a Kiski Area volleyball, softball and golf coach, though she will step back from those roles.

“It’s been a smooth transition with excellent mentorship,” Nicholas said. The administration and the school “is a well-oiled machine.”

The upper elementary school enrolls about 500 students in grades 5-6.

KAUE Principal Brian Swartzlander described Nicholas, 35, as highly qualified.

“We can already feel the high energy that she brings each and every day,” Swartzlander said. “She’s been hard at work building positive relationships with students and staff.”

The school district has one additional female principal, Christine Ross of Kiski Area North Primary School.

Nicholas was raised in West Leechburg, where she still lives with her husband, Brian, a teacher at Kiski Area Intermediate School, and son.

Her parents, Beth and Tom Jones, are graduates of the Kiski Area School District — as are the parents of her husband. And two of her three siblings, Andy Jones and Emily Jones Mitchell, also are teachers, with positions in the Apollo-Ridge School District.

“I’m blue collar through and through, and of the Alle-Kiski Valley,” Nicholas said.

She graduated from Leechburg Area High School in 2006 and received her undergraduate teaching degree from Seton Hill University. For her collegiate student teaching requirement, she trained at Kiski Area — and set a goal to land a job in the district.

Five years ago, she obtained a principal certification from California University of Pennsylvania.

Kiski Area Superintendent Misty Slavic said she’s excited to have Nicholas join the administrative team.

“With her experiences as coach and educator, she has an exceptional ability to form strong relationships with students, staff and families,” Slavic said.

Nicholas is overseeing a new project already underway, a sensory room for students with disabilities.

“I am very excited our building is developing one, and I think it will be extremely beneficial to our students,” Nicholas said.

Nicholas plans to be very visible on campus.

“I want to be out and about, showing my face, especially in the halls, to the students,” Nicholas said. “I want to have conversations with the students. As a principal now, I don’t have to worry about coaching or teaching. My focus is all on the people, specifically our students.”

Nicholas credits Leechburg Area Honors English teacher Daria Dewitt for inspiring her to pursue a career in education.

“She’s the reason I became a teacher. Dewitt had enthusiasm, and she cared,” Nicholas said. “It wasn’t just about learning in her class. She taught empathy and compassion.”

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 at Kiski Area Upper Elementary brings homegrown passion to role - TribLIVE
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