In her career, Mrs. O’Brien has been focused on maintaining a positive environment, supporting student needs, promoting growth and excellence, and building strong relationships with students and families. Very student-centered, Mrs. O'Brien arrived at South Fayette with an extensive knowledge of several important district initiatives including the RIASEC/World of Work framework for career-focused curriculum, the principles of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), Esports, and robotics. She is also experienced with having a therapy dog program, a greenhouse, a mindfulness zen den, a hydroponics classroom, and a Lego brick club, along with many other innovative, student-centered initiatives.
Mrs. O’Brien transitioned to South Fayette at the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year from the Beaver Area School District where she was an elementary assistant principal starting in 2020 and became principal in 2023 for grades three through six. Previously, she taught fourth grade ELA/Social Studies in the Hopewell Area School District and spent a year as an academic advisor with Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School.
Mrs. O’Brien holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Point Park University and earned her bachelor’s in elementary (K-8) education from Grand Canyon University with a minor in English. She particularly excels in curriculum design and development, technology integration, strategic planning, collaboration, and interpersonal relationship building.
Phone: 412-221-4542 x 253