ACLD Tillotson School Home

Executive Director Message

September 2026

Dear Tillotson Families,

We are well into the first quarter of the school year - our theme of Journey Explorers continues to run through our opportunities and learning at Tillotson!

Recent Happenings

Students began the new year on August 20! In addition to our students’ regularly scheduled classes, clubs are underway with several favorites such as karaoke, CREATE, and 4-square!

On September 9, our US History students visited the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown, PA. Hands-on and real-world opportunities for our students provide a tremendous support in learning.

Flag football and cheer season also officially began! Come out to support the Tillotson Tigers at our upcoming showcase on October 23.

Upcoming Events

September 11 and 25 – Half Day; Dismissal at 12:30pm

October 12 – No School; Open House

Stay tuned for monthly letters, and as always, please reach out with any comments, questions, or concerns!

Tara Skalka

Executive Director

Staff Spotlight: Dr. Smith!

Dr. Dawn Smith joins our team as our new Director of Special Education. Her professional background spans both public and private school settings, where she taught students in areas of Learning Support, Autistic Support, and Life Skills Support. Her experience in these areas ensures a comprehensive and compassionate approach to the educational needs of our students. A committed lifelong learner, she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania before going on to complete her Doctorate of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. Outside of her professional life, Dawn enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their three children. They enjoy hiking, taking trips to the beach, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dawn is eager to begin this new chapter at ACLD Tillotson and looks forward to building strong relationships with our students and collaborating closely with families to foster an inclusive and thriving learning environment.