Burchfield Primary principal recognized by Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation

Burchfield Primary School students saw a familiar face during the March 17 Pittsburgh Penguins game.

Principal Jeff Rojik has been dubbed a Most Valuable Principal – also known as an MVP. He was honored by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Grable Foundation and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit during the game with 14 other building administrators across Allegheny County.

As part of the award, Rojik received a customized Pens jersey and a $1,000 donation to Burchfield Primary School. He said that there isn’t a set plan for the money yet but he and other staff are looking into possible projects and needs.

Rojik has served as principal for the past 11 years and was nominated for the award by district superintendent Sean Aiken.

“Although Rojik is extremely humble and most likely resistant to this attention, he represents our district and Burchfield Primary with strong leadership, character and compassion,” Aiken said in a statement. “We are proud of him and all of Burchfield Primary for being a school of distinction.”

A pilot program that came into existence by recognizing the difficult times local school systems had to endure amidst the covid pandemic, the Penguins MVP program recognizes principals who practice “an innovative approach to learning, a continuous strive for excellence and a passion for their school and students,” according to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation website.

“It’s very humbling,” Rojik said. “It means a lot to be recognized by your supervisor, your boss and to hear so many nice things said about you from the people you work with.”

Living up to Aiken’s words, Rojik said that he would rather stay out of the limelight and have the school be recognized more than him.

“It’s great recognition for the school,” Rojik said. “Anything that I do or can contribute, it really comes from the great people that are around us. It sounds silly but I’m just lucky to be in a community like this.”