Theresa Szmed is going to have to get used to seeing older students in the hallways of her workplace.

Szmed, who has served as principal at Mother of Sorrows School in Murrysville since 2016, will become the new principal at Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School starting in January, diocese officials announced Tuesday.

“The first challenge is going to be the age level of the students,” said Szmed, 60, of Delmont. “I feel fully prepared to embark on that mission, but it’ll certainly be a learning curve in the beginning.”

Szmed has worked as a Catholic school educator and administrator for more than three decades in Plum, Pittsburgh, Verona and Murrysville. She has a master’s degree in education and a K-12 education and administration certificate from Duquesne University. She is a graduate of Divine Providence Academy and the University of Pittsburgh.

“Mrs. Szmed is uniquely qualified to assume this new role because of her careerlong dedication to Catholic education, her experience and training in K-12 administration, and her keen focus on faculty development,” said Nancy Rottler, superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Greensburg.

Szmed said she felt she was ready for a new challenge.

“I think I was excited to have the opportunity to bring some of the expertise I brought to Mother of Sorrows with things like enrollment increases, academic rigor and spiritual formation,” she said.

During her time at Mother of Sorrows, enrollment increased by 30%. Rottler said that was due in no small part to Szmed’s introduction of “Rigor for All” sessions for faculty, which provided teachers with a framework for increasing rigor in any school lesson. That was paired with staff assessments and a research-based model emphasizing collaborative leadership.

“I’m fortunate that I have (Greensburg Central Catholic Acting Principal) Sharyn Zalno, who will be assisting me over the first three months of the transition in January,” Szmed said.

Szmed said she also is stepping for the first time into a building with a teachers union.

“I’m looking forward to working with the union reps and faculty to make sure we have a mutually respectful relationship and an open-door policy,” she said.

Mother of Sorrows Assistant Principal Patricia Visnick will serve as interim principal at the Murrysville school. Teacher Mary Osche will step into Visnick’s role as acting assistant principal.

“Both of these individuals know and love the school community deeply, and I know they are committed to the continuing success of Mother of Sorrows School,” Rottler said.

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