An estimated 15% to 20% of the population is affected by dyslexia. Alumna Maria Paluselli ’92 is committed to addressing that alarming statistic by serving students with dyslexia and language-based difficulties from grades two through eight as Provident Charter School’s chief executive officer.
“We truly change trajectories,” says Paluselli. “…we have students who come here from 45 different districts…it speaks to the need that exists.”
Paluselli’s commitment to education began while attending Allegheny College. As a student, she had the opportunity to teach in the First District Elementary School and gain field experience in other Crawford County school districts.
She notes that her time at Allegheny College pushed her out of her comfort zone.
I loved my experience at Allegheny,” reflects Paluselli. “Allegheny gave me confidence to take on things that seemed particularly challenging. Allegheny provided me opportunities to do difficult things…that prepared me to be comfortable with challenges.
After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in psychology, she conducted education research that focused on autism and reading comprehension at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute. Simultaneously, Paluselli received a master’s degree in special education from Duquesne University.
Returning to the classroom, Paluselli taught special education at North Allegheny until she accepted the opportunity to become the director of the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Ross Township.
Paluselli trained teachers in the Orton-Gillingham approach, coordinated a tutoring program, and consulted surrounding school districts for a decade in the role. She continued to advocate in the region by joining others to create the Pittsburgh Regional Group of the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. She has served as the chair of the group and in various roles since its inception.
At the Dyslexia Center, Paluselli was introduced to the idea of preparing a charter for an school to accommodate the dyslexic population. Approved in 2016, Provident Charter School now has over 300 enrolled students in its Troy Hill location, and a second school, Provident Charter School West, opened in Baden, Pennsylvania in 2023.
Her responsibilities at Provident Charter School entail supporting all departments in an administrative role.
It’s evident that Paluselli is a changemaker who deeply values her students and their lifelong development.
