Amy Larcinese remembers playing “school” as a child, writing on her chalkboards and instructing a classroom of stuffed animals, baby dolls and cousins.

“I just knew that I always wanted to work with kids and try to make a difference,” she says.

She also recalls riding along with her firefighter father as he responded to incidents in Liberty, Allegheny County, where she grew up.

After turning 16, she became an active firefighter.

When making a career decision, she was torn.

“I had two passions going into college — to be a nurse or a teacher,” said Larcinese, principal of H.W. Good Elementary School in the Yough School District.

Her family helped her realize that she could become the teacher she aspired to, and continue providing health care through her (now 24 years of) volunteer work as a firefighter and EMT.

Larcinese, who turned 40 in 2019 and resides in Elizabeth Township, has worked in the district since 2010.

It was her work in both of those fields that led to Larcinese’s recent inclusion in her alma mater, California University of Pennsylvania’s, Under 40 inaugural class.

The honor recognizes “significant personal and professional accomplishments and contributions” to awardees’ fields, community, society and impact on their alma mater, according to its website.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” she says of the award.

“One of our guidance counselors, Lisa Mumau, knew I was an alum and she wrote a nice nomination for me,” she said.

Inspiring others

Mumau said Larcinese is the type of leader who allows staff and students to “captain their own ships.”

“Her leadership engages the mind, heart, spirit of the school and the community,” she said.

Mumau credited Larcinese with inspiring her to pursue her own doctoral degree, supporting and challenging her and other staff members.

Throughout the building, she says, there is a sense of “calm, of students first.”

“It’s like a secret sauce. I’m not sure how she does it,” Mumau said.

Larcinese is the buffer, Mumau said, who makes sure “everyone has a plan, everyone has been accommodated.”

“It’s not easy. It’s boots on the ground, it’s muddy work we do. She navigates the bureaucracy and has the continuous drive to be a learner. She gives teachers a break. She’s always at bus duty, always at breakfast duty,” she said.

After beginning her career with the South Allegheny School District, Larcinese went on to earn her master’s and doctoral degrees.

Janet Sardon, Yough superintendent, was a principal in that district when Larcinese was teaching there. She encouraged her to continue her education and pursue an administrative position.

“Larcinese does an incredible job as principal at H.W. Good Elementary. She is continuously dedicated to doing what is in the best interest of students, families, the school and the community,” Sardon said.

“Her commitment to our schools, her attendance at community events, and her ability to work as a member of a team is phenomenal,” Sardon said.

Teamwork, partnerships

During a recent tour, Larcinese proudly showed off the small, kindergarten through fourth grade school in Herminie.

She is quick to credit faculty, staff, students and community partners who have helped make improvements through everything from elbow grease to donations to fundraisers.

Larcinese partnered with Sewickley Township to help secure a $60,000 PA Greenways Grant, after the school first raised $50,000 over five years for a “Playground of Our Dreams” project.

“We sold so many tickets, hoagies,” she said, laughing.

The colorful playground is also accessible for students and children in the community with special needs.

Other initiatives she pointed to with pride include an interactive math lab, sensory room, and a new innovation station, a “maker space” for children to learn 3D printing, robotics and coding.

Explosion in education

Preparation for entry into the workforce, trade school or college begins in kindergarten, Larcinese said.

“The foundation starts here. Seeing kindergarten kids using 3D printers and coding, it’s mind boggling. It’s amazing what they can do,” she said.

At the same time, teachers try to help students learn softer skills — staying positive, working together — through a “Choose Kind” campaign.

They learn responsibility by caring for the school’s pets, including a turtle and rabbit.

She credits the school’s staff for “stepping up.”

“They have ideas. This is their home and their building,” Larcinese said.

She and her husband, Phil, are the parents of two daughters.

But she joked that she “has 300 kids.”

“I love coming to work every day because of my interactions with the kids. They absolutely put a smile on my face every day,” she said.

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