During last evening's Board of Education meeting, the Manchester Township Board of Education appointed Mrs. Diane Pedroza as Superintendent of Schools. The announcement was welcomed by a standing ovation as Mrs. Pedroza became the first female Superintendent in the school district's history.
In the heartfelt statement by Board of Education President Gayle Mount, she shared Mrs. Pedroza's deep roots with the Manchester Township School District. Mrs. Mount noted that Mrs. Pedroza's professional career experience has been solely dedicated to the students, staff, and families of Manchester Township. She has been educating the students and supporting the families and staff of Manchester for more than 23 years. She started her tenure in September of 2000 as an English Teacher at Manchester Township Middle School (MTMS) before moving into the role of Vice Principal in 2007, and later as the Acting Principal in 2008, at MTMS. Mrs. Pedroza was then chosen as the Principal at Ridgeway Elementary School in September of 2008 before stepping into the role as the Manchester Township School District’s Director of Curriculum in the fall of 2015. In November of 2023, Mrs. Pedroza was named Interim Superintendent of Schools and will begin her journey as Superintendent of Schools officially on July 1, 2024.
Mrs. Mount also shared during the Board of Education's announcement of this news quotes provided to her by Mrs. Pedroza's colleagues, friends, and community members, some of which are shared below.
In a response of gratitude for the decision, Mrs. Pedroza expressed how seriously she takes this appointment and that she will continue to bring to the position of Superintendent of Schools her extensive professional experience paired with a deep dedication to the students, families, and community. She reiterated that Manchester Pride is woven into who she is and everything that she does and acknowledges that when it comes to education “it takes a village.” She remains grateful to her colleagues and the community for all being a part of this village.
Congratulations to Superintendent Pedroza!
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Here are some of the thoughts from friends, colleagues, and community members as shared by Board of Education President Gayle Mount about Mrs. Pedroza during the meeting:
"Diane's leadership has shown us how to lead with our heart. As Diane says, 'in the shadow of the leader,' meaning, we should be the leader that we expect our followers to be. Excellence by Example!" - Linda Saraceno
"Mrs. Diane Pedroza is dedicated to the Manchester educational community. She is a compassionate and dedicated educational leader that maintains high expectations for teaching and learning, makes decisions that are always child-centered, and fosters a collegial partnership amongst all stakeholders to benefit all of our students. Mrs. Diane Pedroza embodies and leads with our district motto, Excellence by Example." - Lisa Michallis
"Diane is a true leader and inspires all those lives she touches." - Nancy Driber
"Mrs. Pedroza is the personification of our Manchester Township School District Motto 'Excellence By Example!' Her commitment to the students, staff, and families in the Manchester Community is an inspiration to us all!" - Alex George
"Mrs. Pedroza's inspiring dedication and profound commitment to the Manchester community are truly remarkable. Through her daily guidance, she encourages us to excel as a district and promotes growth as educators. Her unwavering passion for education radiates each day as she leads with empathy and a steadfast dedication to every student's success. Mrs. Pedroza exemplifies Excellence by Example!" -Michelle Nichol
"William Barclay says 'There are two great days in a person's life-the day they are born and the day they discover why.' Mrs. Pedroza has lived her 'why' as a teacher and a leader in a career led by integrity and passion for students and her craft. She is a gift to this community." - Evelyn Swift
"It has been my privilege to know Diane since she was my daughter's kindergarten principal at Ridgeway nearly 20 years ago. Both of my children absolutely adore her, and I know her as a heart-centered leader who has dedicated her professional life to the students of Manchester. When she stops by my classroom, my high school students are always excited to see her, a clear indication of how many lives she has positively impacted during her many years of service here. She is a consummate professional who holds staff and students to the highest of standards, which she herself models. Diane Pedroza is the embodiment of leadership by example. Her words inspire motivate and raise people up, her attention to detail is unparalleled. She carefully considers all available information and listens to all stakeholders before making decisions, and always does what is best for students. She makes everyone around her better, which makes our district better! Manchester is fortunate to have her.' - Dan Staples
"Diane Pedroza is one of the most dedicated and hard-working people I have ever met. I have known her for over 20 years and she is amazing! As she travels around the district, her genuine care for the students and staff shines through. It is evidenced by her positive attitude and smiling demeanor. I have also been on many committees through the years, where I have worked with Mrs. Pedroza. She does her research and is extremely knowledgeable, yet is always willing to listen to the opinions of others. Lastly, Mrs. Pedroza bleeds blue and gold. She is committed to the success of our school district and stands up for students and staff. I am so blessed to know Mrs. Pedroza and to benefit from her strong and caring leadership." - Loreen Reiman
" I had the privilege of working with Mrs. Diane Pedroza for 14 years as Superintendent in Manchester. In these years, Diane established herself as an outstanding educational leader and she grew professionally each and every year. She not only demonstrated leadership in the district but also gained respect throughout the county and the state. It is no surprise that I relied heavily on her input and her professional knowledge, but also relied on her as a person.
Diane is a unique individual because while she has outstanding professional knowledge, her best quality is how she positively interacts with her staff, parents, and students from Pre K to high school. She genuinely cares about people and it shows. She listens to staff about educational issues and listens to parents and students about their concerns. It is this combination of professional knowledge, the ability to lead, outstanding work ethic, decision making, and her compassion for people that makes Diane an outstanding leader.
In all of my years in education, I have never met a person more deserving and more qualified in all respects to be a Superintendent of Schools than Diane Pedroza. I wish her all the best."
-David Trethaway
"I'm going to try to say something that no one else will say and it could not be more true: 'good things come in small packages.' She is the best thing that has happened to our District in a long time. She truly is Excellence by Example." - Cheryl Mackenzie
"Diane Pedroza is an amazing leader who inspires and empowers others to reach their full potential. Her dedication to our Manchester families is unlike any other. She fosters a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and continual growth." - Jill A. Moore
