ALLENTOWN, PA — At its Thursday, October 26, 2023, Regular Board Meeting, the Allentown School District Board of Directors approved the hiring of four district-level administrators to better support and engage our students, staff and families.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Shuanta Broadway McDaniel, Dr. Lourdes Sanchez, Ryan Yurchick, and Deborah Accurso as new leaders in the Allentown School District’s learning community,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent. “Each brings a wealth of experience in their respective fields, has a true passion and commitment for public education and ensuring students have access to the best possible learning and co-curricular opportunities. We look forward to seeing the impact each of the talented individuals will have on our learning community.”
Dr. Shuanta Broadway McDaniel will serve as the next Chief of Performance Management, Equity and has a demonstrated track record of success and promoting initiatives to improve equity, access and academic achievement.
As the Chief of Performance Management, Equity & Accountability, Dr. Broadway McDaniel will be responsible for the formulation of system-wide strategies for creating, evaluating, monitoring and administering performance systems in the Allentown School District. She will also oversee the alignment of school and District continuous improvement plans and by leveraging data, research, and partnerships to drive a culture of high performance.
Dr. Broadway McDaniel holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Arkansas-Sam M. Walton College of Business, a master’s degree in instruction and curriculum from the University of Memphis, and doctorate degrees in administration and supervision, as well as school improvement, from the University of West Georgia. She also completed the Urban Superintendents’ Academy through the American Association of School Administrators and Howard University earlier this year. She is currently the Area Director (Supervisor of School Administrators) in the Salt Lake City School District.
Dr. Lourdes Sanchez has been hired as the next Director of Student Services. She has more than 20 years of experience working for the Allentown School District. She has served as a school psychologist and Department Chair for District Psychological Services. She has completed training in various areas, including Youth Mental Health First Aid, ALICE, Nonviolent Crisis Prevention and Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines. She is also a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.
In this role, Dr. Sanchez will provide critical support in developing our Whole Child Framework and provide leadership and direction in the areas of attendance, behavior, and the social and emotional well-being of our student population.
Dr. Sanchez holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, a master’s degree in school guidance and counseling from Nova Southeastern University, and a doctorate in school psychology with a health/pediatric sub-specialization from Lehigh University.
Ryan Yurchick will serve as the district’s next Director of Arts and Wellness. He has been an assistant principal at Salisbury High School since October 2021. Yurchick has had a variety of professional instructional experiences in health and physical education since 2007, including creating and modifying curriculum, collecting and assessing data, and facilitating professional learning.
In this new role, Yurchick will create a vision for a comprehensive enrichment program that will complement our academic curriculum.
Yurchik has a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University. He has also completed certification in Pennsylvania Administration I (Principal PK-12) and Pennsylvania Instructional I Teaching Certification in Health and Physical Education PK-12).
Deborah Accurso has been appointed as ASD’s next Director of College and Career Readiness. She has more than 10 years of experience in college advising, dual enrollment, and student transitions and retention.
Most recently, Accurso was the Director of Career and Transfer Services at Harcum College. She spent the 10 years prior as an educational consultant and college coach at College Game Plan in Jamison, Pennsylvania.
Accurso will serve as the liaison for college and career readiness in the District, leading collaboration with partner institutions for dual enrollment, career readiness and pathways success, partnership development, and graduation success.
Accurso holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in anthropology from Bryn Mawr College and a master’s degree in anthropology from the New School for Social Research in New York City.
Accurso will begin in the District effective Tuesday, November 28, 2023. All other start dates are to be determined at this time.
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