Turner Intermediate Principals

Principal Cara McKenna

Cara McKenna is excited to serve as Principal of Turner Intermediate School. Ms. McKenna brings more than 15 years of administrative leadership experience and a strong commitment to serving students, supporting educators, and building school communities where every student has the opportunity to succeed. 

Throughout her career, Ms. McKenna has demonstrated a passion for creating schools where students feel known, valued, and supported. Her leadership is centered on building trusting relationships, fostering a positive school culture, supporting high-quality instruction, and using data to guide decisions that improve outcomes for students. 

Ms. McKenna joins Wilkinsburg School District after recently being appointed Principal of Steel Valley Middle School, following her successful service as Interim Principal of Park Elementary School within the Steel Valley District. During her time in Steel Valley, Ms. McKenna demonstrated the ability to build strong relationships, strengthen school systems, and support a positive culture focused on student growth and achievement. Her appointment to the middle school principal position reflects the trust placed in her leadership and her ability to support students, staff, and families across grade levels. 

Prior to joining Steel Valley, Ms. McKenna served as Principal of Logan Elementary School in the East Allegheny School District and spent twelve years as an Assistant Principal in Pittsburgh Public Schools, serving in a variety of K-8 and secondary settings, including the role of Interim Principal at Arlington K-8. These experiences have provided her with a broad perspective on instructional leadership, school improvement, and the importance of creating schools where students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally. 

As Principal of Turner Intermediate School, Ms. McKenna is committed to supporting the continued work of the Wilkinsburg School District and advancing the district’s priorities of improving teaching and learning, strengthening school culture and climate, building meaningful relationships with students, families, and the community, and using data to identify opportunities for growth. She believes that increasing student engagement, reducing barriers to attendance, and providing students with strong academic support are essential components of creating successful schools. 

Ms. McKenna believes that every student deserves access to rigorous instruction, caring relationships, and a school environment where they feel a true sense of belonging. She looks forward to partnering with Turner Intermediate students, staff, families, and the greater Wilkinsburg community to continue building on the important work already underway. 

Ms. McKenna holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s Equivalency in Education from Gannon University, and a Principal Certificate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also completed the Principal Pipeline program through Pittsburgh Public Schools. 

Assistant Principal Krystal Smith

Krystal L. Smith is honored to serve as the Assistant Principal of Turner Intermediate School in the Wilkinsburg School District. She partners with students, families, teachers, and staff to cultivate a safe, joyful, and academically challenging learning environment where every student is known, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. 

With nearly 20 years in education, Mrs. Smith has served students and families in both public and independent schools as a teacher, instructional leader, mentor, and presenter. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh before completing her K-12 Principal Certification at Point Park University. 

Her philosophy of education is rooted in a quote she first encountered as a student at Schiller Classical Academy: "Character is higher than intellect." Although she did not fully understand Ralph Waldo Emerson's words as a child, they have guided her throughout her career. As a classroom teacher, she wrote a letter to every incoming student and family before the start of the school year, encouraging students to dream big while reminding them that dreams are built through character, perseverance, discipline, and a strong work ethic. That same philosophy continues to guide her leadership today. 

Mrs. Smith believes schools are strongest when every adult works together on behalf of students. She takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to leadership, believing that educators, support staff, families, and community partners all play an essential role in student success. She is committed to building a culture of trust, collaboration, joy, and high expectations where every member of the school community feels valued. 

Beyond school walls, she has also presented at educational conferences, sharing practical strategies and resources that strengthen teaching and learning. Mrs. Smith looks forward to serving the Turner community to help every child develop the character, confidence, and skills needed to thrive in school and in life.