Administration

Maria Paluselli
CEO

Maria Paluselli is a special education teacher with experience as a learning support teacher in several public schools. Maria is also a certified Orton-Gillingham Trainer. For over 10 years she served as the Director of the Children’s Dyslexia Center. Here she has trained and supervised teachers and tutors at initial and advanced levels. Maria is a trainer for Winsor Learning, publisher of a multisensory reading program. She has traveled throughout the country training teachers and coaching them as they implement intervention programs.

Maria has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and she works independently assessing students and consulting with parents and school districts. She presents regularly on various topics related to reading and intervention strategies. Maria is the past chair of the Pittsburgh Regional Group of The International Dyslexia Association.

Shannon Iachini
Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Mrs. Shannon Iachini serves Provident Charter School as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. She earned her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University in Political Science and pursued a Masters of Science in International Economics from American University in Washington, D.C. The personal experience of being the parent to three children with exceptional needs led her to focus her efforts on improving the field of education for children with learning differences. She earned her Masters of Science in Education from Duquesne University where she was named as a Dean’s Teaching Fellow. Mrs. Iachini was drawn personally to the mission of Provident Charter School and helped open the doors in 2016 as a third and fourth grade English language arts teacher. After obtaining her Level I certification as a Dyslexia Practitioner with the Wilson Reading System®, Mrs. Iachini moved into a leadership role as the English language arts curriculum coordinator with the task of adopting a rigorous and relevant English language arts curriculum for grades 2-8. During this time she obtained both her Principal K-12 certification and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction certification from the University of Pittsburgh. She has served in her current role since October 2020 and oversees a department of two curriculum coordinators and three interventionists. During her time as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment she has overseen additional pilots in both Science and Mathematics with a focus on implementing rigorous curricula with appropriate scaffolding and support. Mrs. Iachini also serves as a local facilitator for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports at the Tier I level and she is currently focused on implementing MTSS at Provident Charter School.

Brittany Hebert
Director of Special Education

Mrs. Brittany Hebert serves Provident Charter School as the Director of Special Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She began her career in Nashville, TN as a special education teacher. Brittany has taught special education with experience working in the areas of learning support, life skills, and emotional support. She worked as a special education coordinator in Provident’s special education department from 2018-2021. During this time, Brittany earned her master's degree from Slippery Rock University in Special Education: School Supervision. Brittany moved into a leadership role joining Provident’s administration as the Special Education Elementary Supervisor for the 2021-2022 school year. She currently resides in the North Hills with her husband and son.

Brittany is committed to coordinating and collaborating with staff to ensure compliance with regulations and laws pertaining to special education. She advocates for all students when it comes to ensuring equal opportunities for learning.

Kristy Yonushonis
Principal - Central

Kristy Yonushonis has been in education for 13 years and is starting her 7th year at Provident Charter School. She holds a K-6 elementary education degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Masters's Degree in Special Education with a Principal K-12 certification from California University of Pennsylvania. Kristy has also obtained her Wilson 1 certification. Prior to becoming Assistant Principal, Kristy has had many leadership roles at PCS including ELA curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, and ELA content specialist and interventionist. Kristy is a dedicated lifelong learner and is excited to join the administration team at PCS. Kristy will use her strengths to help create a positive and safe learning environment for PCS while increasing students' academics, confidence, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. Kristy enjoys spending time with her two kids and husband as well as reading and golfing in her free time.

Robert Casey
Vice Principal - Central

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 32 years and has five children and four grandchildren. His family is new to the Pittsburgh area as of this summer. In his spare time, he likes to hike with his wife, enjoy festivals and local artisan fare, attend Pirates’ games and attend his childrens’ dance events at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

Connie Joseph
Principal - West

Mrs. Joseph began her career at Provident Charter School during the 2016-2017 school year and has been there for the past seven years. She is excited to start next year at Provident Charter School West in Baden, and looks forward to helping the school grow.

She attended Point Park University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education. She was a teacher at Cornell School District for eleven years prior to becoming a principal. While teaching in the Cornell School District, she furthered her education and obtained a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh. Her Principal Certification was earned at Point Park University. She worked for three years in the Burgettstown School District as an assistant principal at both the elementary center and middle/high school.

Mrs. Joseph is committed to helping students grow academically as well as socially. She is an advocate for children and looks forward to working with parents at Provident Charter School West to ensure student success.

Julie Ewing
Director of Enrollment