Administration

Shannon Iachini is the Chief Academic Officer at Provident Charter Schools, where she leads the Department of Instruction and Learning. Her career path reflects a deep commitment to education, though it began in a different field. After earning her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University and pursuing a master’s degree in International Economics from American University, Shannon’s personal experiences led her to pursue a master’s degree in Education from Duquesne University. She joined Provident Charter School in 2016 as a member of their opening team in English Language Arts. In her first year, she completed training to become a certified Dyslexia Practitioner. Since then, she has served in progressively responsible leadership roles, including Curriculum Coordinator and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.

In her current role, Shannon oversees a team of educators, including curriculum coordinators, interventionists, and reading specialists. She is committed to implementing research-based interventions and effective teaching strategies to support all learners. One example is the recent launch of Math WIN, a structured math intervention program designed to provide targeted support and individualized instruction to help students who struggle with math.

Shannon is also a strong advocate for positive behavior supports and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). She is dedicated to ensuring that all students at Provident Charter Schools have access to high-quality instruction and the support they need to succeed.

Mrs. Brittany Hebert serves as the Director of Pupil Services at Provident Charter Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Westminster College.

Mrs. Hebert began her career as a special education teacher in Nashville, Tennessee, gaining valuable experience in various settings, including learning support, life skills, and emotional support classrooms. She joined Provident Charter School in 2017 as a Special Education Teacher. During this time, she pursued her master’s degree in Special Education: School Supervision from Slippery Rock University.

In the 2021-2022 school year, Mrs. Hebert transitioned into a leadership role as the Special Education Elementary Supervisor, further developing her administrative expertise.

As Director of Pupil Services, Brittany is passionate about ensuring that all students receive the individualized support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. She collaborates closely with staff to foster an inclusive learning environment, ensures compliance with special education laws, and advocates for equitable opportunities for all students.

Residing in the North Hills with her husband and son, Brittany enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring Pittsburgh’s coffee shops in her free time.

Mrs. Kristy Yonushonis joined Provident Charter School in 2016 and currently serves as Principal at PCS Central. She holds a K-6 Elementary Education degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in Special Education with a K-12 Principal Certification from California University of Pennsylvania. She is also Wilson Level 1 certified, enhancing her expertise in working with students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences.

Before becoming Principal, Kristy held leadership roles at PCS, including Assistant Principal, ELA Curriculum Coordinator, Instructional Coach, and ELA Content Specialist and Interventionist. These experiences have shaped her ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, and families, fostering a positive and collaborative school culture.

Passionate about equity and inclusion, Kristy works to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential. She is dedicated to creating engaging learning environments and leading curriculum development, instructional strategies, and school improvement initiatives.

Outside of work, Kristy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing golf.

Mr. Robert Casey is joining the Provident Charter School team this year as the new vice principal. Mr. Casey comes to Provident from Texas and is entering his 20th year in public education, ten of which have been in administration. He is certified with a 4-8 generalist, early childhood-12 special education and principal’s certification. He has his master’s degree from Lamar University in Educational Administration and his bachelor’s from Texas A&M University. Mr. Casey’s most recent job was as a high school assistant principal in Central Texas where he was awarded the district’s administrator of the year award for the 2022-2023 school year.

Mr. Casey has a rich background in serving students with both learning and behavioral challenges. His years in the classroom included leading an adaptive behavior unit, co-teach support across multiple content areas and special education case management. As an administrator, he led his school’s special education special programs, the PBIS team, the advanced academic program and the student leadership organization. Prior to his educational career, he worked as a house parent at a residential boys’ home for youth, mentoring residents and their families toward family restoration and healthier, sustainable life choices.

Mr. Casey has been married for over 30 years and has five children and four grandchildren. Originally from Texas, Robert and his family moved to Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023. He enjoys hiking, attending festivals, supporting the Pirates, and watching his children perform at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

Bio pending…

Julie Ewing brings extensive experience in management and hospitality to her role as Director of Enrollment at Provident Charter Schools. After years of managing country clubs, restaurants, and a regional auction house in Western Pennsylvania, Julie was drawn to a career where she could make a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

From the moment she attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Provident Charter School Central, Julie knew she had found her home. Listening to the inspiring words of the CEO and Board President about their vision for students with dyslexia solidified her desire to be part of something truly transformative.

Julie often says she has the best job at Provident Charter Schools. She finds immense fulfillment in connecting with prospective families, sharing her love for the school, and helping them envision a brighter future for their children.

Justin Matschener is the Technology Operations Manager at Provident Charter School, where he oversees IT infrastructure, data management, and software integrations to ensure seamless IT operations. He joined the school in the summer of 2020 as a Technology Specialist, maintaining daily technology functions, troubleshooting network and device issues, and optimizing software systems. In the fall of 2023, he stepped into his current leadership role, further expanding his impact on the school’s IT landscape.

Justin brings expertise in IT operations, state reporting, software and hardware support, and system integrations. With a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Philosophy from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he developed a strong analytical mindset that enables him to tackle complex challenges efficiently.

He is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance user experiences, improve data accuracy, and streamline operations. Dedicated to ensuring IT systems function seamlessly, he works to provide users with the tools they need to succeed. Whether troubleshooting third-party software, maintaining a school’s website, or configuring policies for network security, he is committed to delivering efficient and reliable technology solutions. He enjoys problem-solving, optimizing workflows, and driving innovation with a focus on efficiency and collaboration.

Outside of work, Justin enjoys hiking, biking, and swimming. As a lifelong Disney enthusiast, he values creativity, innovation, and immersive experiences.

Dr. Rachel Owens is the Operational Compliance Officer for Provident Charter Schools and serves as the Development Advisor for the Provident Education Foundation. In this cross-functional role, she supports internal operations, staff development, compliance, communications, and organizational coordination across both campuses and the Foundation.

Dr. Owens began her career as a high school special education teacher, co-teaching math and social studies while leading transition services for students with disabilities. In 2016, she became the founding Director of Special Education at Provident Charter School Central, where she spent five years building foundational systems that continue to support the school’s mission.

Dr. Owens earned her Bachelor’s Degree in History with teacher certification and her Master’s Degree in Special Education & Teaching from Carlow University. She holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.

Elizabeth Swartz graduated from Penn State University, where she earned her K-6 teaching certification, laying the foundation for a career in education. After gaining a strong background in teaching, Elizabeth also pursued a Chemistry certification, which led to a decade-long tenure as a high school educator. Over the years, she taught in various roles, expanding her expertise and passion for educating students across different subjects and grade levels.

In 2016, Elizabeth began teaching Math and Science at Provident Charter School Central and obtained a middle school Math certification. Building on her desire to continue advancing professionally, Elizabeth earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Westminster College in 2022. This accomplishment further fueled her journey, and in July 2022, she made a career shift into Human Resources (HR) as the HR Manager at Provident Charter Schools. In this new role, she manages various HR responsibilities, including recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates, payroll, benefits, and employee relations. The move to HR provided Elizabeth with an opportunity to use her skills in leadership and communication to support and develop others in a different capacity.

Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family in the North Hills, where she lives with her husband and two children. As a family, they enjoy sports and like to attend both professional games and their kids’ sporting events. They also like to travel and explore new places, finding both adventure and relaxation in their journeys together.

Kala Williamson joined the Provident Charter Schools team in 2019 as Food Service Manager and has since become a driving force behind the transformation of the school’s meal program. When she stepped into the role, Provident’s cafeteria relied heavily on heat-and-serve meals. Under her leadership, the program has shifted to scratch cooking, emphasizing fresh, wholesome, and nutritious ingredients designed to fuel students’ bodies and minds.

Known for her resourcefulness and strategic mindset, Mrs. Williamson has implemented efficient budgeting practices and creative menu planning that meet both nutritional standards and student preferences. Her efforts have not only elevated the quality of meals served daily but have also garnered national recognition. She was awarded the Healthy Meals Incentive Award for Innovation in School Meal Preparation, and she has successfully secured multiple grants to support kitchen upgrades and expanded meal offerings.

Though her academic background is in Specialized Business (IT), Mrs. Williamson has always been passionate about health, wellness, and childhood nutrition. Outside of her professional life, Mrs. Williamson is a proud mother of three and is married to her high school sweetheart. Together, they enjoy spending quality time outdoors and staying connected with extended family.