Otto Graf

Dr. Otto Graf, a native of Pittsburgh, received both his Bachelor of Science in biology and Masters of Arts in Teaching from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. He received a Masters of Education degree from Kent State University, specializing in guidance and counseling. He attended Duquesne University for administrative certification and earned his Doctor of Education in Administration and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
During his career in public education, Dr. Graf held a variety of positions. While working in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, he taught biology, served as a guidance counselor, and served as a high school vice-principal. Otto was named Associate Director of Staff Development for the PPS Schools, a position he held for three years. In this role, Graf was responsible for developing a series of programs targeted at improving the instructional skills of teachers and the supervision skills of administrators. Dr. Graf also served the district as Director of Pupil Services.
In 1986, Otto was named Principal of Oliver High School. Under his leadership, Oliver transformed from one of the most troubled high schools in the Pittsburgh system to a solid, safe school. Oliver experienced a dramatic revitalization: improved test scores; improved promotion rates to the next grade level; lowered the course failure rate; lowered the student dropout rate; lowered the suspension rate; increased the number of students attending two and four-year colleges and improved the attendance rate. In 1989, Oliver received a $50,000 award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for improving the graduation rate and lowering the drop out rate.
In 1990, Dr. Graf was named principal of Mt. Lebanon High School in suburban Pittsburgh. During his nine-year tenure, the staff, students and community of Mt. Lebanon High School earned two Blue Ribbon Flags of Excellence from the U.S. Department of Education. The school also experienced a dramatic increase in student involvement in school activities and parental involvement in the school.
Otto is currently a Clinical Professor in the School leadership program at the University of Pittsburgh. He also serves as the co-director of the Western Pennsylvania Principals Academy. The Academy is a support network for elementary, middle and high school principals throughout western Pennsylvania. More than two hundred principals participate in one of the five cohorts, working to refine instructional leadership skills and improve their overall ability to leade as schools.
Dr. Graf is also the co-director of the National Principals Initiative and a program director for the Educational Leadership Initiative. The National Principal Initiative is a professional development program for administartors from urban school districts through the United States.
Graf has presented a variety of programs related to improving instruction and student learning; enhancing instructional supervision; improving school culture and organizational dynamics and developing strategic plans.