ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL (ECS) WELCOMES NEW DEAN OF STUDENTS TO MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
For Immediate Release
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL (ECS) WELCOMES NEW DEAN OF STUDENTS TO MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
PITTSBURGH (February 27, 2025)— The Environmental Charter School (ECS) is proud to announce the appointment of Darnell Shaahid as its Middle School’s first Dean of Students. Through his diverse professional background, Shaahid will play a pivotal role in meeting students' needs and supporting academic excellence.
“The inclusion of a Dean of Students at our Middle School gives us an opportunity to further connect with students in meaningful ways,” Dr. Amanda Cribbs, Superintendent said. “Through this role, we expect Mr. Shaahid to build relationships with students and support their sense of agency.”
Shaahid joins the team with more than 17 years of teaching experience in the classroom, five years of coaching at the middle school level and four years of leadership experience as an Instructional Teaching Leader (ITL).
Most recently, Shaahid served as a second-grade English Language Arts, Math and Science Teacher and the K–2 ITL at Pittsburgh Faison Elementary School. During this time, Shaahid was also the chair of the discipline committee, supporting teachers and students through coaching, mentoring, providing feedback, and running restorative justice circles.
Shaahid’s background of advocating for diversity and community aligns with ECS’s mission to grow active, engaged citizens. His expertise in mentoring will contribute to the school’s ongoing efforts to provide a high-quality education and empower students through agency.
As Shaahid prepares to assume his role at ECS on March 3, 2025, he expressed his commitment to the district’s values: “I look forward to working with ECS students, staff and parents to maximize the social, emotional and academic development of our students. With consistency, this will deepen the culture of high expectations and grow our nation’s future citizens.”
Shaahid earned his master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix and his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. ECS is excited to bring on his expertise to continue to refine and elevate ECS’s programming and overall school culture.
About ECS:
The Environmental Charter School is a tuition-free K-12 charter school in Pittsburgh, Pa. ECS combines the academic rigor of the best public schools with a multi-disciplinary, “out-the-door” learning approach rooted in real-world problems that build active, engaged and empathetic citizens. For more information, visit ecspgh.org.
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