Edgeworth Elementary principal among Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation MVPs

Principal Carol Sprinker is just as important to Quaker Valley School District’s Edgeworth Elementary as Sidney Crosby is to the Pens, according to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.

Crosby was recently named team MVP – and so was Sprinker through the foundation’s Principal MVP program.

“It’s very humbling,” Sprinker said. “I’m very excited because I love being a principal so much (and) to be recognized for that is very humbling.”

She was one of 15 principals selected this year.

Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation executive director Jim Britt said recognizing educators is very important, and many have gone above and beyond to lead their schools through the pandemic.

“When we were approached by AIU3 and the Grable Foundation about partnering together to honor local principals, we couldn’t have been more excited,” Britt said via email. “We recognize the important work these administrators are doing every day, even amidst such extreme circumstances over the last two years, and we are proud to use the Penguins MVP program to recognize those principals that go the extra mile to support children in our region.”

Awardees were given $1,000 for their school, two tickets to see a Pens game in a party suite, a Penguins prize pack with various merchandise and a special mention in the foundation’s monthly e-newsletter.

Sprinker said she spent the money on books for kindergarten and first grade.

She selected “The Little Engine That Could” and “Three Little Engines” in order to help promote friendship and encouragement among the young learners.

Sprinker was hired as Edgeworth’s principal in 2015. She worked for Blackhawk School District for about 15 years prior to coming to Quaker Valley.

Edcuation has always been a passion for Sprinker. She earned a bachelor’s in elementary education and master’s in administration and leadership from Duquesne University, and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh.

“From a young age, I always wanted to work in schools and always wanted to be a school principal,” she said. “I’ve always felt that schools are very important to our society.”

Sprinker was nominated by elementary school counselor Jessica Jackson and academic specialist Gina Gordon.

“I just thought it’s just been a year where I feel we need all the support and goodies that we can get,” Jackson said. “Carol’s been so fantastic in getting us through this year.”

They called the principal a “shining light” and praised her leadership, particularly during the pandemic. Their nomination was a surprise.

“We were really proud to have her be one of the selected MVPs and glad that we could help to make that happen for her,” Gordon said.

The principal said Gordon and Jackson’s actions are emblematic of what makes Quaker Valley great.

“It’s a dream,” Sprinker said of working in the district. “I find that our school community is incredibly supportive and our families are very appreciative and supportive of public education. It’s really more of a partnership with the community.”

As far as cheering on the Penguins, Sprinker said she supports all teams black and gold.

“I honestly don’t have a lot of time to follow every individual sport, but I love everything Pittsburgh,” she said.

Other principal MVPs include Peter Schintz of Chartiers Valley Intermediate, Michael Routh of Elizabeth Forward High School, Tamara Allen-Thomas of Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship, Peter Murphy of Thomas Jefferson High School and Rachel Ficshbaugh of Hartwood Elementary.

More information about the foundation and its programs is available online at pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org.