Dr. John Sanville
Dr. John Sanville, who led the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District for more than 14 years and currently serves as Managing Director for K-12 Education at CRA | Admired Leadership, received the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) Leadership in Public Education Award on November 13, 2025. In keeping with his commitment to students, Dr. Sanville donated the $1,000 award to the UCF Community Scholarship Fund, which has supported graduating seniors at Unionville High School for over 50 years.
“It is truly an honor to recognize Dr. John Sanville for his impactful contributions at Unionville Chadds Ford School District and statewide,” said Dr. Sherri Smith, Executive Director of PASA. “John leads and influences others with his calm, positive, and confident approach, constantly sharing his wisdom and experience. He is an inspiration to all who have the opportunity to know and learn from him.”
The Leadership in Public Education Award, sponsored by PFM/PLGIT, recognizes exceptional leadership that advances public education, strengthens the profession, and leaves a lasting mark on students, schools, and communities. Dr. Sanville was selected from numerous nominations submitted by district colleagues, former students, and peers across Pennsylvania.
“This award recognizes exceptional leadership that advances public education, strengthens the profession, and leaves a lasting mark on students, schools, and communities,” said Brian Sanker of PLGIT in presenting the award. “Few exemplify those qualities more fully than Dr. Sanville.”
During his nearly two decades at Unionville-Chadds Ford, including 14 years as superintendent, Dr. Sanville led the district with what colleagues describe as “a rare blend of vision, integrity, and compassion.” Under his leadership, the district was named School District of the Decade by the Pittsburgh Business Times.
Dr. Sanville introduced forward-thinking initiatives while maintaining respect for practices that were working well. He led the creation of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait of an Educator frameworks—guiding documents that align curriculum, hiring, and professional growth with the district’s mission and values.
His student-centered innovations included championing later start times for secondary students, implementing restorative discipline practices, and establishing a full-day kindergarten program built on play-based, nature-centered learning. When funding presented an obstacle for the kindergarten program, Dr. Sanville secured a major grant from the Longwood Foundation—convincing them, for the first time, to invest directly in a public school district.
“Dr. Sanville’s impact on public education extends far beyond any one district. His leadership has helped shape how educators across Pennsylvania think, grow, and serve. This recognition is a testament not only to his vision, but to the countless students and leaders whose lives are better because of his influence,” said Dr. George F. Fiore, Executive Director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU).
When the pandemic disrupted schools across the country in 2020, Dr. Sanville’s steady leadership guided Unionville-Chadds Ford’s transition to remote learning without missing a single day of instruction.
“Colleagues describe him as a developer of people—someone who invests deeply in others, offers honest guidance, and models what ethical, student-centered leadership looks like,” Sanker noted in his remarks.
Dr. Sanville established systematic leadership development across every level of the organization—from teachers and administrators to board members and students—cultivating a culture that promoted growth and improvement throughout the district. Many administrators who worked under his leadership have gone on to become superintendents and assistant superintendents across Pennsylvania.
“Leadership is never a solo act,” Dr. Sanville said in his acceptance remarks. “Jack Welch once said, ‘Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.’ Watching the leaders I’ve worked with grow and develop has been one of the greatest joys of my career.”
Dr. Sanville’s influence extends well beyond his district. As President of PASA, he led the organization through a critical leadership transition, working tirelessly to strengthen public education across Pennsylvania by advocating for sound policy, mentoring new superintendents, and fostering collaboration among leaders statewide.
“He is not just a great leader, but a positive and uplifting friend to all who have the opportunity to work with him,” Sanker said. “He has shown that great leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about service, relationships, and a relentless belief in what’s possible for children.”
Throughout his career, Dr. Sanville has been deeply committed to leadership development. His doctoral dissertation focused on principal emotional intelligence and its impact on school climate. For the past five years, he has partnered with Admired Leadership to bring research-based leadership development to educators across Pennsylvania and beyond.
“Great leadership isn’t about personality or charisma,” Dr. Sanville noted. “It is built on behaviors, routines, and actions that make people and situations better.”
Since retiring from UCFSD in July 2025, Dr. Sanville has continued his work in education as Managing Director for K-12 Education at CRA | Admired Leadership and as a consultant with Schneider Electric. His “retirement” auto-reply message captures his ongoing commitment: “I’m trading snow day decisions for helping other educational leaders navigate their own storms.”
Dr. Sanville’s decision to donate his $1,000 award to the UCF Community Scholarship Fund reflects his enduring commitment to Unionville-Chadds Ford students. The fund provides scholarship aid to outstanding graduating seniors at Unionville High School, supporting students as they pursue post-secondary education. Last year, the fund awarded eight graduating seniors each with a $1,000 scholarship.
“This donation ensures that the recognition I’ve received will directly benefit the students and community I was privileged to serve,” Dr. Sanville said.
The award ceremony took place during PASA’s annual conference, where Dr. Sanville was joined by his wife Debbie, former and current board members from UCFSD including three board presidents, and numerous superintendents and assistant superintendents who worked with him during his career.
