Dr. Beck named national finalist for assistant principal of the year

Sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the award recognizes outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.

The three finalists were recently in Washington, D.C. for in-person interviews and information sessions. Dr. Beck enjoyed the opportunity to meet and learn from the middle and high school finalists from across the country.  

“One of my biggest takeaways was recognizing that even with our different experiences, we seemed to share core values, and integrity was the foundation,” Dr. Beck said. “We challenged each other with proposed problems of practice, and we explored the vital role assistant principals play in advocating for our schools—locally, at the state level, and even nationally.”

Each of the finalists were asked to bring an item that symbolizes who they are as leaders and/or people. Dr. Beck brought a piece of rope to illustrate groups of people working together to create strong bonds that shape the culture of the Upper St. Clair community.

“The three colors of this braided piece of rope represent the students, parents and teachers that I serve and work with,” Dr. Beck explained. “Intertwining multiple strands makes a rope significantly stronger—supporting three to four times more weight than individual strands alone. Assistant Principals play a key role in helping these different groups weave together, strengthening their connections, and preventing them from fraying or unraveling.”

Dr. Beck was named Pennsylvania’s 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Principals Association in November 2024. A former secondary English teacher, Dr. Beck joined the Upper St. Clair High School leadership staff in 2013.

In addition to his role as a school administrator, Dr. Beck serves in a variety of leadership roles within the greater educational community. He previously served as a board member of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC), which named him its 2020 PASC Principal of the Year. He also served as the first assistant principal at-large board member of the Pennsylvania Principals Association, when the position was established in 2018. 

Dr. Beck earned his doctorate and undergraduate degrees from Duquesne University and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. A resident of Upper St. Clair, Dr. Beck and his wife, Kelly, have two young children, Carter and Lyla.

For the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year program, each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools and the Department of Defense Education Activity select one middle level or high school assistant principal to represent their state or department, from whom the three finalists were chosen.

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• Learn about all of the 2025 National Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists.
• Dan Beck named PA Assistant Principal of the Year