CRANBERRY TWP — The Seneca Valley School Board recently approved the appointment of Jenay Sharp Leach as assistant principal at Rowan Elementary School.

The Pittsburgh native recently relocated to Valencia from northern Virginia, where she served as the K-12 science coordinator for the Fairfax County Public Schools for the past four years.

She also has prior management and leadership experience as a university supervisor with the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Sharp Leach is an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. Chosen by NASA in 2010 for the fellowship, she served as subject matter expert, technical adviser and team manager for aeronautics curriculum, kindergarten through higher education.“We feel very fortunate to have Dr. Sharp Leach join our team and are looking forward to the vision, energy and insight she will bring with her,” said Sean McCarty, assistant superintendent for K-6 instruction. “Her achievements as an educator and academic leader will be a perfect fit for Seneca Valley as we continue to raise the bar for student success.”Sharp Leach's previous teaching experiences include Woodley Hills Elementary, Chantilly High School, West Springfield High School and Fairfax academy.She was also a K-8 teacher for Rosie Riveters, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math engagement program for girls. In addition, Sharp Leach was a teaching assistant and research assistant at the University of Virginia.Sharp Leach received her Ph.D. in curriculum, teaching and learning from the University of Virginia, a master's in educational leadership and administration from George Washington University and a bachelor's in physics and general science/secondary education from Grove City College.She will be working in a part-time capacity and is anticipated to begin role at Rowan on Jan. 4.

Jenay Sharp Leach