Sally Rushford

Sally Rushford, a retired Pittsburgh Public School principal, is excited to work with The Endeavor School’s educators as a Project-Based Learning consultant.

Ms. Rushford has worked in education for over 35 years, serving as a teacher, a curriculum specialist and a principal. She has seen first-hand, the importance of teacher empowerment and development. When teachers focus on the student and the student’s need, real growth and change can happen. Young people are deeply curious about the world around them and want a voice in shaping that world.

A graduate of Hunter College, City University of New York, Ms. Rushford has specialized in understanding how children learn. As the principal of Beechwood Elementary School, she gained a reputation as an innovator. She implemented the PA-Smart grant, a collaboration with South Fayette School District, to teach and integrate computer science literacy for elementary students. She also designed and implemented the Carnegie Museum of Art program to use Carnegie International as a vehicle for literacy integration for Fourth Graders. Sally facilitated the Artist in Residency program for 15 years at Beechwood School in collaboration with Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, culminating each year with a celebration to showcase student projects. She has received much attention for her legacy work with Pittsburgh Public Schools in developing a strategic plan to foster joy in learning and to cultivate learning communities that thrive.

She currently serves as the facilitator for the School Leaders cohort of the Educator’s Neighborhood, a project supported by the Fred Roger’s Center, exploring how the work of Fred Roger’s is relevant for leaders in education today.