*Pictured above QCSD School Board Member Glenn Iosue and Superintendent Dr. Matthew Friedman
School leaders from across Pennsylvania gathered in the Pocono Mountains this weekend (October 19) to celebrate innovation and excellence in education at the 2025 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference.
The Quakertown Community School District is proud to congratulate Superintendent of Schools, Matthew Friedman, Ed.D., recipient of the 2025 Pennsylvania School Boards Association Innovative Leader Award. Dr. Friedman was recognized on Sunday, October 19, for championing a powerful culture shift in how students, educators, and the community approach learning and career readiness.
Rather than launching a top-down initiative, Dr. Friedman inspired a districtwide conversation—beginning in kindergarten—about what brings students energy, what challenges them, and what makes learning meaningful. By integrating RIASEC and career language into daily instruction, he has empowered students to understand their strengths and interests and use that self-knowledge to guide their academic and career pathways.
Now in its third year, this work has become a cornerstone of the district’s culture: students use their RIASEC themes to shape their learning journeys, educators design instruction that reflects students’ strengths, and the entire community embraces self-discovery as a vital part of education. Dr. Friedman’s leadership stands out not only for its vision but also for its empathy—anchored in seeing, valuing, and empowering every student.
About the PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference
The PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference is Pennsylvania’s premier gathering for school leaders, offering professional development, networking opportunities, and the celebration of outstanding contributions to public education. For more information, visit paschoolleaders.org.
About PSBA
Founded as the nation’s first school board association, PSBA has provided services, advocacy, and counsel to inform and engage Pennsylvania’s local education leaders for 130 years. Representing more than 4,500 school directors—with voluntary membership encompassing nearly 100% of school entities statewide—PSBA amplifies the collective voice of its members, advocates, and partners to champion exceptional public education for Pennsylvania’s students.