Dr. Marybeth Irvin
As an educator for over 30 years, I have had the good fortune to work with amazing teachers, students, staff and administrators in three very different school districts. I have served at all levels of education from K-16 as a teacher, principal, curriculum leader, and district administrator.
I am currently the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education in the Mt. Lebanon School District where I work with a team of seven exceptional elementary principals to provide resources and remove barriers to improve teaching and learning at our schools. Much of my effort is directed to ensuring teachers have meaningful professional learning opportunities that are work-embedded, differentiated, and supportive of their needs.
My interest in professional development and learning for teachers began in graduate school at the Pennsylvania State University. I received a doctorate in 2005 in Educational Leadership, with my research focused on how teacher reflection impacted self-efficacy beliefs. I was very fortunate to be able to conduct my research in the internationally recognized PSU Professional Development School partnership with the State College Area School District.
Many people, especially students, have impacted my philosophy on professional learning. First and foremost, I believe that every educator must model themselves as a lifelong learner to both their students and their colleagues. There were two very important people who helped my refine my stance in this regard. The first is Dr. Jim Nolan of PSU. After taking his course on Designing Professional Development as part of my principal certification program I became very interested and focused on the topic of how to help teachers improve and refine their practice. Dr. Nolan served as my dissertation chair. My inspiration to be an educator to begin with is my mother, Lindy Donahue. She began her career as a special education teacher but soon found herself in the role of supporting, mentoring and supervising other educators to be their best selves.
I am currently the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education in the Mt. Lebanon School District where I work with a team of seven exceptional elementary principals to provide resources and remove barriers to improve teaching and learning at our schools. Much of my effort is directed to ensuring teachers have meaningful professional learning opportunities that are work-embedded, differentiated, and supportive of their needs.
My interest in professional development and learning for teachers began in graduate school at the Pennsylvania State University. I received a doctorate in 2005 in Educational Leadership, with my research focused on how teacher reflection impacted self-efficacy beliefs. I was very fortunate to be able to conduct my research in the internationally recognized PSU Professional Development School partnership with the State College Area School District.
Many people, especially students, have impacted my philosophy on professional learning. First and foremost, I believe that every educator must model themselves as a lifelong learner to both their students and their colleagues. There were two very important people who helped my refine my stance in this regard. The first is Dr. Jim Nolan of PSU. After taking his course on Designing Professional Development as part of my principal certification program I became very interested and focused on the topic of how to help teachers improve and refine their practice. Dr. Nolan served as my dissertation chair. My inspiration to be an educator to begin with is my mother, Lindy Donahue. She began her career as a special education teacher but soon found herself in the role of supporting, mentoring and supervising other educators to be their best selves.