District Hires Next Director of Special Education

District Hires Next Director of Special Education
Posted on 06/17/2021
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At its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the South Park School District Board of Directors hired Mr. Isaac Tarbell as the district’s new director of special education, effective Monday, August 2, 2021. Mr. Tarbell replaces current director of special education Ms. Kathleen Wooddell who is retiring in August. 


Since 2015, Mr. Tarbell has worked at Pittsburgh Public Schools as a school psychologist and supervisor of psychological services – his current position. At Pittsburgh Public Schools, Mr. Tarbell’s role included supporting and evaluating teachers, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school social workers, school counselors, school nurses, and contracted behavioral support staff. 


In 2021, Mr. Tarbell was named one of two Pennsylvania School Psychologists of the Year by the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania (ASPP). He received this award for his commitment and advocacy to providing mental and emotional services to Pittsburgh Public Schools families. ASPP recognized Mr. Tarbell’s push for an expanded role for school psychologists, an increase in equitable practices, and a strengthened emphasis on prevention and intervention efforts. Mr. Tarbell also received the Pittsburgh Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award and was named to Whirl Magazine’s 20 under 20 class in 2018.


Mr. Tarbell studied at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in child development and family relations, a Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences education, a master’s degree in educational psychology and a certificate of advanced graduate study in school psychology. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.


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