For Dr. Natasha Dirda, a realization hit her early this past spring when she was driving to a meeting with the Mt. Lebanon School Board.
At that moment, Dirda saw a throng of students walking home from Jefferson Middle School, not buried in their cell phones, but laughing with their friends.
“That doesn’t happen in other school districts,” Dirda said. “It’s so uniquely connected to what makes Mt. Lebanon so beautifully special.”
Dirda recently accepted the role of assistant superintendent of secondary education in the Mt. Lebanon School District. This position wasn’t simply the next step in her career. It was a homecoming.
After serving previously as a unit principal at Mt. Lebanon High School and principal of Markham Elementary School, Dirda spent the past several years in leadership positions at North Allegheny and South Fayette school districts before returning this summer to oversee grades 6 through 12 in Mt. Lebanon.
“Returning to Mt. Lebanon has truly felt like coming home,” Dirda said. “This district means so much to me. My career journey would not have been possible without the impact Mt. Lebanon has had on me both professionally and personally. I’m honored to be back and excited for what’s ahead.”
Now responsible for guiding curriculum, instruction and student experiences across the district’s middle and high schools, Dirda says her previous experience at both the elementary and secondary levels give her a unique perspective on students’ educational journeys.
“My role is to support our middle and high schools in providing first-class educational experiences while continuing to grow academic excellence, extracurricular opportunities and strong connections between our elementary, middle and high schools,” she said.
One of her immediate priorities will be helping students navigate important transitions, particularly as the district launches its new sixth grade orientation initiative, WEB, or “Where Everybody Belongs.” The program is designed to help incoming middle school students feel connected and supported as they begin a new chapter in their education.
“One of my biggest priorities is helping students successfully transition from elementary school to middle school,” Dirda said. “Those transition years are incredibly important, and I want to make them as smooth and supportive as possible.”
While Mt. Lebanon has long been recognized for its academic excellence, Dirda believes maintaining that reputation requires a commitment to continual growth.
“We can never become complacent,” she said. “We have to continue challenging ourselves every day, fostering a culture rooted in excellence and providing every student with the support they need to succeed.”
That philosophy extends well beyond academics.
“If we don’t have healthy and happy students and staff, none of the other accomplishments matter,” Dirda said. “Our responsibility is to create safe, welcoming schools where every student knows they’re surrounded by trusted adults who care deeply about them.”
Her leadership philosophy centers on relationships first, achievement second.
“We will deeply love and care for every student and every staff member while relentlessly pursuing excellence,” she said. “If we stay focused on giving students the best education they deserve, incredible things will happen.”
Dirda also recognizes that today’s students are preparing for a rapidly changing world shaped by advances in technology and artificial intelligence.
“The world our students will enter is changing rapidly through artificial intelligence and technology,” she said. “Our responsibility is to ensure they have the skills they’ll need to thrive in whatever comes next.”
Just as crucial, she believes students themselves should help shape their educational experiences.
“Student voice is incredibly important,” Dirda said. “We have to create spaces where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas so we can continue preparing them in the best possible way.”
That commitment to listening has been one of the biggest lessons she’s learned throughout her career.
“Students will tell us exactly what they need to be successful,” she said. “We just have to listen to them and create spaces where they feel safe enough to share.”
Although she’s worked in several highly regarded school districts throughout western Pennsylvania, Dirda says Mt. Lebanon remains special because of its close-knit community and engaged families.
“The partnerships we have with families are what make Mt. Lebanon such an incredible place to live and work,” she said. “I look forward to continuing those relationships in every way possible.”
She also points to the district’s neighborhood schools and walkability as its defining characteristics.
“I’ve loved every district where I’ve worked, but Mt. Lebanon has always been home,” Dirda said. “There’s something special about this community, from the neighborhood schools to seeing students walking home together. It’s uniquely connected, and that’s what makes it so special.”
As she begins this new chapter, Dirda hopes every student who graduates from Mt. Lebanon leaves with much more than academic success.
“I want our graduates to be healthy and happy, to think critically, solve problems, stay true to their values, give back to their communities and confidently apply what they’ve learned to the world around them,” she said.
