3 new Pittsburgh Public Schools directors sworn in; Sala Udin appointed board president

Three people recently elected to serve on the Board of Education for Pittsburgh Public Schools and two members who won reelection have been sworn into office.

The ceremony was held Dec. 6 for first-time board members Tracey Reed, who represents District 5; Jamie Piotrowski, District 7; and Gene Walker, District 9.

Incumbent board members Sala Udin, who represents District 3, and Sylvia Wilson, District 1, also were sworn in to serve four-year terms after winning reelection in November.

Once the new board was seated, officers for 2022 were appointed.

Udin was elected board president and District 2 representative Devon Taliaferro was elected first vice president. District 4 representative Pamela Harbin was elected second vice president.

The board also elected Interim Superintendent Wayne N. Walters to serve as the board secretary.

Reed is a native of Pittsburgh and attended Beltzhoover Elementary School. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Pittsburgh and doctorate in educational policy from the University of Virginia.

She previously taught high school English in Frederick, Md., and currently serves as a program officer for the Grable Foundation.

She also serves on the boards of A+ Schools, Connecting Champions and Women for a Healthy Environment.

Piotrowski, who lives in Carrick, earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology-family studies from Waynesburg University as well as master’s degrees in international development as well as social work from the University of Pittsburgh.

Piotrowski is a licensed social worker and currently serves as community project manager for Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh.

In addition to her studies at U.S. universities, Piotrowski has studied abroad in Havana, Cuba, and in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Walker has worked in finance, education, direct support, marketing and nonprofit management.

He is a graduate of Peabody High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Walker returned to Pittsburgh in 2009 to work alongside the team at the Pittsburgh Promise in various capacities, including becoming the first director of workforce development in 2015.

During his time with the Promise, Walker was responsible for several initiatives including the district’s We Promise program that focused on mentoring African American males.

He currently works with the nonprofit Gene Cook Supports, which helps adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.