Danielle Yoder, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education
At its Aug. 2, 2021 meeting, the Board of School Directors approved Yoder as the district’s new assistant superintendent of elementary education. Yoder, the former principal of Easterly Parkway Elementary School and Virtual Academy K-5 principal, succeeds Vern Bock, who accepted an assistant superintendent position with Frederick County Public Schools in Virginia.
As assistant superintendent, Yoder will be responsible for Corl Street, Easterly Parkway, Ferguson Township, Gray’s Woods, Mount Nittany, Park Forest, Radio Park and Spring Creek elementary schools.
“I am honored and excited to become a member of the district leadership team in the State College Area School District,” Yoder said. “Over the past three years, the district has provided me with an abundance of opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow as we move forward in our journey of meeting the needs of all students and families in the district. I plan to continue to build relationships with all stakeholders as I believe they are the key to ensuring our students’ success. Finally, I look forward to being able to support and help guide the teachers, staff, and administrative team so that we continue to unite and work together to meet the needs of our teachers, students, and community.”
Prior to coming to Easterly Parkway, Yoder spent three years as principal of Penns Valley Elementary and Intermediate School in the Penns Valley Area School District. Before that, she led Centre Hall-Potter and Miles Township elementary schools. During her 12 years with PVASD, she also served as the district’s Title 1 reading and assessment coordinator.
Her 29-year career has included stints as a language arts and math teacher in the Midd-West School District in Middleburg and a dropout prevention coordinator with the Adult Education and Job Training Center in Lewistown.
Yoder holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Lebanon Valley College, as well as master of science degrees in educational development and strategies from Wilkes University and in reading and educational leadership from Edinboro University. She obtained her K-12 principal certification from Edinboro, and she’s presently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at Penn State.
“Danielle brings to her new role a stellar record of being a gifted educator and outstanding school leader, and I’m happy to welcome her to my cabinet,” Superintendent Bob O’Donnell said. “Her knowledge and experience make her well suited to direct the growth of our K-5 education and to give our elementary students, staff and parents the support they need.”