Nancianne Edwards, Quakertown Community School District assistant superintendent for leadership, administration and technology, has been selected for the 2020 Outstanding Supervision Leadership Award by the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD).
Edwards, an administrator in the district since 2003, supervises school principals, leads administrative professional development, facilitates community committees and is the district’s safety coordinator.
“I have developed a real passion for this particular work because I believe that developing principals as instructional leaders is the key to improving student achievement and student experience,” Edwards said. “It’s incredibly gratifying to see principals grow in their practice and to model that for the teachers in their buildings. I consider this to be the most important work I’ve ever done. What’s exciting for me is that this award shines a light on the incredible strength of our principal leadership team.”
“Ms. Edwards has done a spectacular job, and is so deserving of this award and honor,” Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner said. “Her leadership ability is transformative and has helped develop our principals into outstanding leaders in their own right. To have both assistant superintendents be recognized by this prestigious state organization is something we are tremendously proud of and we are lucky to have their service here in Quakertown.”
In 2018, Dr. Lisa Hoffman, the assistant superintendent for the Office of Teaching and Learning, was recognized by PASCD with its Curriculum Leadership Award.
In his 16 years as a superintendent, Harner described Edwards as the finest “exemplar in supervision and leader development. Her myriad talents and knowledge are a perfect match for developing short- and long-term strategies in teacher and principal supervision, selecting learning management and data-collection systems, and implementing a culture and model of coaching versus evaluation throughout the district.”
Adam Schmucker, principal at Trumbauersville Elementary School and Pennsylvania’s National Distinguished Principal in 2018, described Edwards as “an omnipresent, open-minded coach. She invests significant time and attention to being present in all facets of the school leaders’ work.”
In a letter of recommendation to the PASCD’s awards committee, Schmucker wrote, “Through her open-minded supervision, she seeks to foster growth in leadership practices, inspire growth in instructional practices, and increase student learning. … Her supervision has positively impacted my learning, my leadership, and the overall school culture and student achievement in our school. Nancianne Edwards is an outstanding supervisor.”
In 2016, Edwards was one of 28 women to receive the Lehigh Valley Business’ Women of Influence award.
Edwards became assistant superintendent in Quakertown in 2014. From 2003-2014 she had been the district’s director of human resources. From 1999-2003, she held that position in the Pennsbury School District.
“Supporting others to challenge themselves to grow and learn every day has been the most rewarding work in my 26-year career in public education,” Edwards said. “Not only am I honored to receive this award, but to know that one of my principals nominated me for it. They are an awesome team, and it is a privilege to work alongside them.”
Gary Weckselblatt is director of communications for Quakertown Community School District
