Mr. Don Burd

Mr. Don Burd, HS Principal

 dburd@everettasd.org | 814-652-9114 ext 1027

Mr. Burd was hired for the position of Everett Area High School (HS) Principal in June of 2020. He is a native of Fayette County who married an Everett native. Mr. Burd graduated Magna Cum Laude from California University of Pa and went on to further his professional career as an administrator through University of Scranton.

In 1993, Mr. Burd earned his B.S. Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Cal U. His first position as an educator came through a job fair in South Carolina after the late season blizzard of ’93 pushed him to warmer climates. He found his calling as a teacher and coach at McDuffie High and within a year, married his college sweetheart in their first home on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC. When McDuffie closed its doors, he found the quaint Georgia town of Social Circle a perfect fit for the next three years until a need to move closer to home brought him to the Northern Neck of Virginia and Lancaster High. A few steps closer to PA, teaching and coaching at Easton, MD; Berkeley Springs, WV; and finally Forbes Road High School when he made the final move to Everett. After fifteen years of teaching mathematics and coaching football, wrestling, baseball, and academic challenge, he found a need to challenge himself and enrolled in a Masters of Educational Administration program through the University of Scranton attaining the degree in 2009.

Mr. Burd spent his early years in the United States Army Reserve, the South Carolina Army National Guard and the Georgia Army National Guard. During his military tenure he had the opportunity to hold many jobs and attend many schools, beginning as a supply specialist for six years. He was then trained as part of an air defense crew and held that position for three years. His final position in his military career was as a computer programmer for the GANG.

 Mr. Burd embarked on his first opportunity to advance administratively when he took the position of Director at the Fulton County AVTS. In 2013, he was hired by Huntingdon County CTC and held this post until 2019, with facilitation of a multi-million dollar building project and many other upgrades during his tenure. Driving an hour one way for six years, he decided to change to the 5 minute commute and accepted the position of Assistant Principal in Everett. Less than a year later, in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, he was offered and bravely assumed the role of EAHS Principal, accepting the challenge of changing up education as we knew it to ensure the safety of the students and staff while providing the best education possible.

 Mr. Burd has always gone above and beyond for his students. He is considered by many who have crossed his path to be an innovator and highly competent leader. Because of the high standards he sets for himself and his impeccable moral values, he makes decisions based on what is right for the school and the students. The well-being of the students and staff is always his first consideration. And his love for the Everett community has been proven over and over with the many volunteer hours put into managing the Tenley Park amphitheater project and Everett Area Fund events; Train Station engine roof project; and building acquisition/revitalization of the Everett Theatre to name just a few of his endeavors to better his community.

photo of laurie criswell, middle school principal

MRS. LAURIE CRISWELL, MS PRINCIPAL

lcriswell@everettasd.org    |    814-652-9114 ext. 1015

Mrs. Criswell was hired for the position of Everett Area Middle School (MS) Principal on August 14, 2014. She is native to Bedford County graduating from Chestnut Ridge High School. Laurie graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh and went on to further her professional career as an administrator through Shippensburg University.

In 1997, Mrs. Criswell earned her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh. She used her educational training to teach students in grades K, 4 and 5 for approximately 23 years at Chestnut Ridge School District. Her passion and love for educating students led her to make the decision to further the role she would play in education. She enrolled in a Masters of Education Plan at Shippensburg University attaining the degree in 1993. She has since added to her educational achievements a Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility in August 2017.

Laurie embarked on her first opportunity to advance administratively when she chose to serve as Interim Assistant HS Principal at Chestnut Ridge in 2011. Shortly thereafter, she was hired by Tussey Mountain School District as the Elementary Principal. She held this post until 2012 when she accepted the position of Elementary Principal for Claysburg Kimmel. She found these opportunities very rewarding, but kindled the desire to work for a larger school district. In August 2014, she was afforded that opportunity and assumed the role of MS Principal with our District. The District welcomes her positive, devoted, motivational leadership style to its administrative team.

Throughout her career as a principal, Mrs. Criswell served as a Truancy Officer managing truancy issues and developing a Truancy Elimination Plan. She also managed PSSA testing, analyzed student performance data, conducted staff professional development, evaluated staff, served as LEA for Individual Educational Programs, aligned curriculum, monitored Blended Schools Online programming, dealt with budgeting and handled student discipline.

Mrs. Criswell is a highly motivated, dedicated school leader who embraces the notion that you can never stop learning! Through her life experiences as both a teacher and administrator, she will continue to strive to engage students, parents and the community in learning for a lifetime!