Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year: Bermudian Springs' Shane Hotchkiss

Bermudian Springs Supt. Shane Hotchkiss was named the 2024 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.

After nominations from across the state, Hotchkiss was selected for the award by the PASA Board of Governors and the PASA Elections Committee, the release said.

"I’m very humbled and honored," Hotchkiss said in a phone interview on Wednesday.

"It’s very important for me to share that this award represents the hard work of our students, staff, administrators, the board, and everyone in our community," he said.

"I’m thrilled for everybody, and I want to use this platform to share the great things everyone else is doing."

The release highlighted Hotchkiss' involvement in the district's 'The One to World Initiative,' a program intended to support students and teachers by providing them with access to technology and resources.

"I think we’ve worked really hard to create the right conditions for our students to learn, and for our educators to teach," Hotchkiss said, noting the One to World Initiative as part of that.

Also highlighted in Hotchkiss' tenure were his response to the unique challenges of Bermudian Springs as a rural school district, which does not have access to public water, sewer or cable.

Before coming to Bermudian Springs 15 years ago, Hotchkiss taught and worked as an administrator at Central Dauphin School District, a much more suburban school in a completely different environment.

In response to these challenges, the release said, Hotchkiss and school officials led the construction of the district’s own water treatment plant and installed fiber-optic cables to provide high-speed internet to the district.

Hotchkiss has been the superintendent of Bermudian Springs since 2011. He received his doctorate from Widener University, as well as both a master's degree and a bachelor’s degree from Mansfield University.

"It has been an awesome opportunity," Hotchkiss said of working at Bermudian Springs. "I’m super proud of everyone in the organization.""I love the Bermudian Springs community and our kids. It’s a great place to be."

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Bermudian's Shane Hotchkiss named 2024 PA Superintendent of the Year