Administration

PCS Administration

Maria Paluselli

Chief Executive Officer

Maria Paluselli is the Chief Executive Officer of Provident Charter Schools. As a consultant who understood the need in Western PA for a school designed to serve students with dyslexia, she assisted the founding Provident Charter School board in writing the charter and opened the PCS Troy Hill location as Chief Academic Officer in 2016. Prior to her work with Provident Charter Schools, Maria worked in many capacities related to the mission of PCS.

Maria began her career as a special education teacher and she has taught for over 10 years in several public schools. In 1996, she had the pleasure of working with the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center to open the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Ross Township. Here she became a certified Orton-Gillingham Trainer at the Advanced Level and trained and supervised tutors for over a decade. Maria also served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and she has spent many years working independently assessing students and consulting with parents and school districts. As a consultant for Winsor Learning, she trained teachers nationwide in the use of several reading intervention programs.

Maria continues to present on topics related to dyslexia, reading, and reading intervention. She was instrumental in starting the Pittsburgh Regional Group of the PA Branch of the International Dyslexia Association and has served in various capacities within that group for close to 30 years.

She is committed to ensuring the PCS Mission is fulfilled- that all students with dyslexia reach their potential and leave Provident prepared for their future. Maria works eagerly and collaboratively with the entire PCS Team to continuously improve the schools and seek ways in which the mission and impact can be expanded.

Shannon Iachini

Chief Academic Officer

Shannon Iachini is the Chief Academic Officer at Provident Charter Schools, where she leads the Department of Instruction and Learning. Her career path reflects a deep commitment to education, though it began in a different field. After earning her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University and pursuing a master’s degree in International Economics from American University, Shannon’s personal experiences led her to pursue a master’s degree in Education from Duquesne University. She joined Provident Charter School in 2016 as a member of their opening team in English Language Arts. In her first year, she completed training to become a certified Dyslexia Practitioner. Since then, she has served in progressively responsible leadership roles, including Curriculum Coordinator and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.

In her current role, Shannon oversees a team of educators, including curriculum coordinators, interventionists, and reading specialists. She is committed to implementing research-based interventions and effective teaching strategies to support all learners. One example is the recent launch of Math WIN, a structured math intervention program designed to provide targeted support and individualized instruction to help students who struggle with math.

Shannon is also a strong advocate for positive behavior supports and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). She is dedicated to ensuring that all students at Provident Charter Schools have access to high-quality instruction and the support they need to succeed.

Brittany Hebert

Director of Pupil Services

Mrs. Brittany Hebert serves as the Director of Pupil Services at Provident Charter Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Westminster College.

Mrs. Hebert began her career as a special education teacher in Nashville, Tennessee, gaining valuable experience in various settings, including learning support, life skills, and emotional support classrooms. She joined Provident Charter School in 2017 as a Special Education Teacher. During this time, she pursued her master’s degree in Special Education: School Supervision from Slippery Rock University.

In the 2021-2022 school year, Mrs. Hebert transitioned into a leadership role as the Special Education Elementary Supervisor, further developing her administrative expertise.

As Director of Pupil Services, Brittany is passionate about ensuring that all students receive the individualized support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. She collaborates closely with staff to foster an inclusive learning environment, ensures compliance with special education laws, and advocates for equitable opportunities for all students.

Residing in the North Hills with her husband and son, Brittany enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring Pittsburgh’s coffee shops in her free time.

Kristy Yonushonis

PCS Central Principal

Mrs. Kristy Yonushonis joined Provident Charter School in 2016 and currently serves as Principal at PCS Central. She holds a K-6 Elementary Education degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in Special Education with a K-12 Principal Certification from California University of Pennsylvania. She is also Wilson Level 1 certified, enhancing her expertise in working with students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences.

Before becoming Principal, Kristy held leadership roles at PCS, including Assistant Principal, ELA Curriculum Coordinator, Instructional Coach, and ELA Content Specialist and Interventionist. These experiences have shaped her ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, and families, fostering a positive and collaborative school culture.

Passionate about equity and inclusion, Kristy works to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential. She is dedicated to creating engaging learning environments and leading curriculum development, instructional strategies, and school improvement initiatives.

Outside of work, Kristy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing golf.

Robert Casey

PCS Central Vice Principal

Mr. Robert Casey is joining the Provident Charter School team this year as the new vice principal. Mr. Casey comes to Provident from Texas and is entering his 20th year in public education, ten of which have been in administration. He is certified with a 4-8 generalist, early childhood-12 special education and principal’s certification. He has his master’s degree from Lamar University in Educational Administration and his bachelor’s from Texas A&M University. Mr. Casey’s most recent job was as a high school assistant principal in Central Texas where he was awarded the district’s administrator of the year award for the 2022-2023 school year.

Mr. Casey has a rich background in serving students with both learning and behavioral challenges. His years in the classroom included leading an adaptive behavior unit, co-teach support across multiple content areas and special education case management. As an administrator, he led his school’s special education special programs, the PBIS team, the advanced academic program and the student leadership organization. Prior to his educational career, he worked as a house parent at a residential boys’ home for youth, mentoring residents and their families toward family restoration and healthier, sustainable life choices.

Mr. Casey has been married for over 30 years and has five children and four grandchildren. Originally from Texas, Robert and his family moved to Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023. He enjoys hiking, attending festivals, supporting the Pirates, and watching his children perform at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

Connie Joseph

PCS West Principal

Mrs. Joseph began her career at Provident Charter School during the 2016-2017 school year and is currently in her ninth year as a principal at PCS. She is excited and committed to helping PCS West grow and develop in Baden, PA.

Mrs. Joseph attended Point Park University and received a bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She was a teacher at Cornell School District for eleven years prior to becoming a Principal. While teaching in the Cornell School District, she furthered her education and obtained a master’s degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Her Principal Certification was earned at Point Park University. She worked for three years in the Burgettstown School District as an assistant principal at both the elementary center and middle/high school.

Mrs. Joseph is committed to helping students grow academically as well as socially. She is an advocate for children and looks forward to working with parents at Provident Charter School West to ensure student success.

Julie Ewing

Director of Enrollment

Julie Ewing brings extensive experience in management and hospitality to her role as Director of Enrollment at Provident Charter Schools. After years of managing country clubs, restaurants, and a regional auction house in Western Pennsylvania, Julie was drawn to a career where she could make a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

From the moment she attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Provident Charter School Central, Julie knew she had found her home. Listening to the inspiring words of the CEO and Board President about their vision for students with dyslexia solidified her desire to be part of something truly transformative.

Julie often says she has the best job at Provident Charter Schools. She finds immense fulfillment in connecting with prospective families, sharing her love for the school, and helping them envision a brighter future for their children.