David Turk is getting his moment in the limelight.
A man of many hats, Turk is Riverview’s junior high principal, the district’s data analyst and communication specialist. He is also charged with regularly updating the district’s social media accounts and website.
Turk is in his fourth year with the district and second as a principal.
His work was recognized when he was named a Pittsburgh Penguins Most Valuable Principal. He was one of 15 building administrators in Allegheny County recognized for the award.
“I was blown away by (the recognition). I really was,” Turk said.
Turk was nominated for the award anonymously, and he still isn’t sure who is behind his name being thrown into the ring.
He found out he had won the morning of Jan. 7 when he opened an email from the award program.
“It may seem small to others but, you know, when you do good work sometimes it’s not recognized for it,” Turk said. “To me, someone recognized the positive things and positive impact I’m having. They thought I was worthy of receiving a recognition like this.”
Turk said that in the days after the receiving the recognition, he sent the news to his friends and family. He will be given a shoutout at a Penguins game in March and will receive a custom Penguins jersey, party suite tickets and a $1,000 donation to his school. Turk hopes to be able to direct the funds to programming in the middle school.
While Turk has a lot on his plate in the district, he said it’s not uncommon.
He said teachers and administration members throughout the district take on more responsibilities than what’s in their job titles.
“I see the Riverview administrators, all of us, being unicorns at what we do,” Turk said.
Turk focuses a lot of his energy on making the formative years of middle school a growing opportunity for his students. He said junior high school is a transition period where it’s important for students to feel confident either coming from elementary school or heading to high school.
“It’s where my passion is,” Turk said.