Waynesburg facilitator receives Outstanding Young Educator Award

Bryan O’Black, a graduate and professional studies facilitator at Waynesburg University, was recently awarded the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development 2010 Outstanding Young Educator Award.

The award is given to “an emerging educational leader 39 years of age or younger who demonstrates exemplary commitment and exceptional contribution to the profession.” PASCD is an organization committed to the improvement of curriculum development, supervision, instruction, promotion of professional growth and the education of children.

O’Black, director of Technology & Assessment for the Shaler Area School District Administrative Team, will serve as an ex-officio member of the PASCD executive board for one year. He will also be recognized at the 60th Annual PASCD Conference in November and represent Pennsylvania in the International Outstanding Young Educator Award Competition at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development International Conference in March 2011.

“This award is a true testament to the teaching profession and how we as educators, young and old, have an impact on our children. As a school administrator who focuses on the use of technology and assessment data to drive teaching and learning in the classroom, it is often a challenging process,” O’Black said.

In his current role, O’Black is responsible for network administration, system wide infrastructure, web development, online course development, strategic planning, the integration of technology into the classroom and curriculum, technology staff development and district-wide assessment.

O’Black serves as the communication director for the ISTE Special Interest Group for Technology Coordinators (ISTE SIGTC), and is a member of the Technology Committee for the Pennsylvania Association of Supervision & Curriculum. He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and regularly conducts presentations on Web 2.0, differentiating instruction through the use of technology, adapting the special needs classroom through the use of innovative technologies and the utilization of technology as a change agent in a school district.

“Being named the PASCD Outstanding Young Educator reaffirms for me the importance of moving forward with new innovative ways to teach our digital natives in order for schools to produce high-quality learners for our competitive society,” he said. “PASCD is a professional organization of educators that represents the finest in our state. I am honored that they have chosen me for such an award.”

Inspired by his fifth grade teacher, who made learning informative and fun, O’Black knew he wanted to be involved with education at a very young age.

“Seeing the impact that he had on me and my growth as a child, I came to quickly know that I wanted to be able to impact children in the same way,” he said. “As I worked through my undergraduate degree, I found that technology was continuing to reshape the educational system. As an aspiring educator I wanted to eventually have the opportunity to work with teachers to develop unique skill sets to integrate new teaching strategies and technologies into their classroom.”

Driven by his current school district, O’Black said he is “continually amazed by the effort that our teachers put into educating young minds.”

“I enjoy the time that I get to work with them on developing new skill sets. When students are engaged through the use of new technologies, they are excited to learn and it puts a smile on their face. When I see the ‘I got it moment’ on a student’s face, it makes me want to come to work every day.”

O’Black received a bachelor's degree in education and instructional technology and a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from Duquesne University.

Founded in 1849 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg University is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with three adult centers located in the Pittsburgh region. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and is one of only 27 Bonner Scholar schools in the country, offering local, regional and international opportunities to touch the lives of others through service.

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Released June 22, 2010 
Contact: Pam Cunningham, Assistant Director of University Relations
724.852.3384 or pcunning@waynesburg.edu