Her Story
About Melissa
Dr. Melissa Pearlman serves as Assistant Superintendent representing Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With 28 years of experience in education, all within the same school district, she currently supervises 18 schools, coaching principals and observing classroom practices to drive school improvement. Her career path was influenced by her parents' work in social services and education, leading her to become a high school English teacher before advancing to principal of a creative and performing arts magnet school for 14 years, where her leadership helped the school achieve top 10 ranking in the county by U.S. News and World Report four years post-pandemic. She earned her undergraduate degree in writing from the University of Pittsburgh, along with a teaching certificate and principal certification, and completed her doctorate in educational leadership at Point Park University. Pearlman is an equity-driven leader who values transparency and kindness, and she serves on boards for Family Links and Queen's Gambit while supporting the Women's Center and Shelter. She emphasizes authenticity in her career advice and works to integrate her professional and personal life while mentoring others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Be authentic. Don't try to be something that you think others want. Authenticity, whether it's because you have to be vulnerable, because you made a mistake, because it's okay to brag a little bit about yourself.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Recognize who you are. Have that elevator speech of yourself... practice that elevator speech... we haven't really broken through the ceiling yet. As women in leadership roles, oftentimes there's still a need to break that glass ceiling. Find your allies early on, like, find that cohort and that group.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Education is tough right now. It's not for everybody. You really have to come into it willing to work hard... battling remote work... workforce issue... as you get higher, higher up in leadership, are you seeing a lot of women at the table?
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I really value transparency... always remaining kind... being an equity-driven leader... making sure that I keep myself grounded, not always in the needs of the many, but looking at the needs of the few as well.
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