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Oct. 26, 2017
Dr. Wagner named W&J’s Outstanding Young Alumnus
Upper St. Clair High School Associate Principal for Program Planning & Innovation Timothy M. Wagner, Ed.D. was recently honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award by his alma mater, Washington & Jefferson College.
“Because of what W&J offers, my service in schools has been marked by a desire to understand fully the nexus of educational theory, policy and practice,” Dr. Wagner said. “Most importantly, however, my work at W&J instilled in me a belief that the best learning happens when instructors use both ‘head and heart’ as they consider the needs of children and families.”
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus/a who is within 15 years of his/her graduating class and who has made a significant contribution to either his/her chosen field, community and/or Washington & Jefferson College.
Dr. Wagner earned a bachelor's degree in child development and education from Washington & Jefferson College in 2007. In addition, he holds two degrees from the University of Pittsburgh: a master's degree in applied developmental psychology and a doctorate in education in administrative and policy studies. His dissertation research focused on the public school experience of child refugees.
Having joined the Upper St. Clair faculty in the fall of 2007, Dr. Wagner began his teaching career as an elementary teacher. Throughout his tenure with the district, he has also taught middle-level English and social studies and has served as a gifted education coordinator for students in grades 7-12. From 2013-15, Dr. Wagner served as the middle school English language arts curriculum leader. He was promoted to his current position as associate high school principal for program planning and innovation in July 2015.
Beyond Upper St. Clair, Dr. Wagner serves an adjunct faculty member in the education department at Washington & Jefferson College. In 2016, he assisted the Pennsylvania Department of Education with its analysis of the Every Student Succeeds Act in the area of educator evaluation. His scholarly interests relate to curriculum design, leadership development and school-based behavioral health.
“My journey at Washington & Jefferson College revealed to me that the answers to today's most complex problems are often found in the treasure of a liberal arts education,” he said. “Considering life from a multi-disciplinary perspective, and holding oneself accountable to both knowledge and community, are hallmark features of a W&J education.”
Dr. Wagner has earned similar accolades for his leadership endeavors. Earlier this year, he was honored with the University of Pittsburgh School of Education's 2017 Early Career Award. In 2014, he received the Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. This award recognizes educators who have made an impact on educating the whole child, leadership and contributions to the profession. Two years later, in the fall of 2016, PASCD named him an Emerging Leader. The PASCD Emerging Leader program recognizes and prepares young, promising educators to influence education programs, policy and practice at the state level.
In addition to his work in the field of education, Dr. Wagner is actively involved in the local community including serving as the vice chair of the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair, vice president of Beverly’s Birthdays Board of Directors, and education director for the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair.
