Administration
Norwin School District’s Administration is led by a Superintendent of Schools, an Assistant Superintendent, a Director of Special Education and Student Services, a Director of Business Affairs, and a Director of Human Resources.
Dr. Natalie A. McCracken, Superintendent of Schools
Natalie A. McCracken, Ed.D.
Dr. McCracken serves as the Superintendent of Schools in the Norwin School District. She transitioned to this position after serving as the Assistant Superintendent from 2012-2024.
After earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dr. McCracken began her teaching career in Louisa County and Chesterfield County, Virginia, where she taught grades five and six and also served as a K-5 Title I Mathematics Specialist.
Dr. McCracken then returned to Pennsylvania and completed her Master of Education degree and Principal Certification through California University of Pennsylvania, including an internship at Hillcrest Intermediate School. She was hired to teach sixth grade mathematics and Pre-Algebra at Hillcrest for two years prior to serving as the principal at Sunset Valley Elementary for six years. She then earned her Superintendent Letter of Eligibility through California University of Pennsylvania and a Doctoral degree in School Leadership through the University of Pittsburgh, completing a dissertation titled Principal Perceptions of Professional Development.
Dr. McCracken resides in North Huntingdon with her husband, Lew. Their children, Gage and Ansley, are both alumni of the Norwin School District.
Dr. McCracken serves as the Superintendent of Schools in the Norwin School District. She transitioned to this position after serving as the Assistant Superintendent from 2012-2024.
After earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dr. McCracken began her teaching career in Louisa County and Chesterfield County, Virginia, where she taught grades five and six and also served as a K-5 Title I Mathematics Specialist.
Dr. McCracken then returned to Pennsylvania and completed her Master of Education degree and Principal Certification through California University of Pennsylvania, including an internship at Hillcrest Intermediate School. She was hired to teach sixth grade mathematics and Pre-Algebra at Hillcrest for two years prior to serving as the principal at Sunset Valley Elementary for six years. She then earned her Superintendent Letter of Eligibility through California University of Pennsylvania and a Doctoral degree in School Leadership through the University of Pittsburgh, completing a dissertation titled Principal Perceptions of Professional Development.
Dr. McCracken resides in North Huntingdon with her husband, Lew. Their children, Gage and Ansley, are both alumni of the Norwin School District.
Dr. McCracken feels fortunate to serve the students, families, faculty, staff, and community as the Superintendent. She leads with a focus on Educational Excellence and works collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve the District's mission to create a positive, learner-centered environment that supports the growth of all students in the Norwin School District.
Objective Performance Standards: 2024-2025 Superintendent Objective Performance Standards
Dr. Lisa N. Duval, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Duval serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the Norwin School District. She transitioned to this position after serving as the Director of Human Resources and Accountability from August 2022-July 2024. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University, Dr. Duval began her teaching career in Allegheny County where she taught middle school social studies and English. Dr. Duval began her transition to an administrative role while serving as a Dean of Students for grades 7-12.
After earning her Master of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership and Principal Certification through Drexel University, Dr. Duval has served as a Middle School Principal, High School Principal, and Secondary Supervising Principal at South Allegheny School District from 2011-2015 and High School Principal at Steel Valley School District from 2015-2018. In 2017, Dr. Duval earned her Doctoral degree in Administrative and Leadership Studies from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, completing a dissertation titled A Phenomenological Study of Middle School Counselors' Perceptions of Effective Bullying Prevention and Intervention. During that time, she also obtained her Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. Dr. Duval then returned to South Allegheny School District where she served as the Superintendent of Schools from 2018-2022.
Dr. Duval resides in Liberty Borough with her husband Ed and dog Jaxson. They have two children, Jacob and MacKenzie.
Dr. Duval is both excited and honored to serve the students, families, faculty, staff, and students of the Norwin School District. She looks forward to continuing the trajectory of excellence which has already been established at Norwin and working closely with Dr. McCracken to assist in fulfilling her mission and vision for the District.
Objective Performance Standards: 2024-2025 Assistant Superintendent Objective Performance Standards
Dr. Stacey Snyder, Director of Special Education & Student Services
Dr. Snyder was hired as Director of Special Education and Student Services at Norwin School District for the 2016-2017 school year. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Washington and Jefferson College and her Master of Science in School Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania. She worked as a Certified School Psychologist for the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit for 14 years, 13 of which she was contracted to Norwin. Beginning July 2013, Dr. Snyder was hired at Norwin School District as the Coordinator of Special Education and Psychological Services/School Psychologist where she worked, until leaving for the position of Director of Pupil Services at Southmoreland School District in October of 2015.Dr. Snyder earned her Doctor of Education degree in School Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014. Her dissertation topic focused on parent engagement in the secondary special education transition process.
Dr. Snyder received her Pre-K -12 Principal Certification from California University of Pennsylvania and her Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to the Special Education Department, Dr. Snyder is responsible for School Psychological Services, School Social Work Services, Gifted Support Services, School Counseling, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, School-Based Behavioral Health, and English as a Second Language (ESL). She also oversees 504 compliance and the School Based ACCESS program.
Mr. Ryan Kirsch, Director of Finance & Operations
Ryan Kirsch Mr. Ryan Kirsch, CPA, is the Director of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer for Norwin School District, having begun official duties in May 2017. Mr. Kirsch is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a B.S. and M.S. in Safety Science and a M.B.A. in Accounting. Prior to joining Norwin School District, Mr. Kirsch served as Business Manager at Spring Cove School District for 3 years.Dr. Heather Newell, Director of Elementary Education & Curriculum
Dr. Newell is the Director of Elementary Education and Curriculum for the Norwin School District. Before this position, she served the District as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Sheridan Terrace Principal, and Norwin Middle School Assistant Principal. She has been employed by Norwin since 2007 and is a proud Knight who attended Scull Elementary School and Norwin Junior High East before graduating from Norwin High School in 1988.
Dr. Newell earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with certifications in secondary English and K-12 French education. She began her teaching career at the junior high level in the Quaker Valley School District. She transitioned to a high school teaching assignment in the Penn-Trafford School District. Concurrently, she served as a Southwestern Pennsylvania Writing Project Fellow, earned her principal certification, and completed a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration on women’s leadership studies from Duquesne University.
After thirteen years of teaching English and French at the secondary level, Dr. Newell accepted a principal position at Bon Air Elementary School in the Burrell School District. She was then hired by the Norwin School District. Dr. Newell completed her superintendent certification and earned a doctoral degree in administration and educational leadership from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016. Her dissertation focused on teacher development and the role principals play in providing formative, effective feedback that leads to professional learning.
Dr. Newell resides in Penn Township with her husband, Bruce, and their pets. They have two adult children, one who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care field and one who is an officer in the United States Air Force.
Dr. Newell is committed to the Norwin community and its school district. She welcomes her leadership role in elementary education and K-12 curriculum. Dr. Newell is eager to support teachers, students, and Norwin families as they “strive to be always faithful, loyal; Norwin dear, to thee.”
Dr. Rocco Telli, Director of Secondary Education and Assessment
Dr. Telli is excited to serve as the Director of Secondary Education and Assessment in the Norwin School District. He transitioned to the position after serving as an assistant principal at Norwin High School since August of 2020. Prior to that, he was the Principal of Gateway Middle School from 2014 - 2020. In addition, Dr. Telli served as an assistant middle school principal, an elementary school principal, and a middle school social studies teacher within the Gateway School District between 2005 and 2014. Dr. Telli began his career teaching Local, State, and National Government at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, Maryland.Serving the Norwin community is a great honor for the Norwin High School Class of 1999 alum. The foundation for his future success was shaped in the halls of Norwin High School. Dr. Telli earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine (2003) and a Bachelor of Arts in History (2004) from Mercyhurst College. He later earned his Master of Education in Educational Leadership (2009) from California University of Education. In July of 2024, Dr. Telli earned his Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Administration through Pennsylvania Western University - California.
Dr. Telli resides in North Huntingdon with his wife Jodi and their three daughters. In addition to spending time with family, Mr. Telli enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking.
Dr. Telli resides in North Huntingdon with his wife Jodi and their three daughters. In addition to spending time with family, Mr. Telli enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking.