Interim Principal Jill Fleming-Salopek has a special connection to this year’s graduating seniors.
“When I was a principal at Harrison Middle School, these current seniors were the sixth-graders, and I was with them and served as their principal for half a year,” Fleming-Salopek said. “So I think it’s ironic that I’m finishing the last month of school with them as their principal.”
She has been working in the district for 12 years, filling multiple roles.
“I was hired as the middle school assistant principal, and I served for two years. Then I was the middle school principal for four and a half years,” Fleming-Salopek said. “Then I moved into central office as a director of secondary education and curriculum.”
She also has been a teacher at Steel Valley, West Mifflin and Gateway school districts, and an administrator at Steel Valley High School.
Fleming-Salopek was named Baldwin’s interim high school principal after former Principal Shaun Tomaszewski left in May to become curriculum director in the East Allegheny School District.
“The transition has been exciting and challenging. I am always excited to interact with kids, and it’s why I got into education,” Fleming-Salopek said, “It’s the reason that, even in my role with central office, you see me in the school buildings most of the time.”
With the school year ending, all the high school administrators have been busy, she said. The tasks have included “schedules, teacher evaluations, end-of-year events, and a lot of planning as we close out the year – which has been challenging because I haven’t been here all year in this capacity with students and teachers,” she said.
Despite the busy time of the year, things have been going smoothly.
“The teachers and all the staff in the building have been doing very well with continuing to follow through with their responsibilities and their duties. We are continuing to keep students at the center of everything,” Fleming-Salopek said.
Assistant Principal Denise Wells has known Fleming-Salopek for a long time.
“When she first came to Baldwin, she was actually my principal over at Harrison,” Wells said. “I quickly respected her and grew to like her so much that she’s one of my friends.”
Fleming-Salopek is known for her hard work ethic and motivation, Wells said.
“She is one of the hardest working people I know. She loves kids, and she loves people,” Wells said, “The biggest thing about Mrs. Salopek is that you can’t go anywhere without someone knowing her.”
English teacher Jason Dolak taught at the middle school while Fleming-Salopek was the principal there.
“I think she is a great leader. She gets very in tune with the culture of the school,” Dolak said. “She communicates well with staff and is very caring with the students.”
Fleming-Salopek also works to help teachers with instruction, he said.
“For me, as a teacher, she’s helped me grow and improve my craft and what I do in the classroom,” Dolak said.
As for next year, no decision has been made about who will be Baldwin’s principal, Fleming-Salopek said.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of decisions made by central office and Dr. (Randal) Lutz and the school board,” Fleming-Salopek said. “I am in this role supporting the assistant principals and supporting the students. My role is to be the interim principal, so that we make sure that we go into summer doing everything that we’re supposed to be doing.”
