Former PPS employee Shirley Ann Hill alleges unfair treatment of Montessori teacher, urges accountability

Shirley Ann Hill, a former Pittsburgh Public Schools employee of 41 years, told the board at a July 20 virtual public hearing that the district has not held a principal accountable after what Hill described as unfair treatment of a Montessori teacher.

"I have followed the public hearings regarding the unfair treatment of former Montessori teacher, Miss Stephanie Lupine, by principal Kelly Meyer," Hill said. "In December 2023, Miss Stephanie Lupine was removed from her classroom by Kelly Meyer. She was cleared in February 2024, but was conveniently transferred to another school that does not have a Montessori program."

Hill said Lupine "was not permitted to clear out her belongings" and that "various teachers dismantled her room." Drawing on her own experience, Hill said administrators once transferred her and that someone from CTE boxed up and shipped six years' worth of her classroom belongings. "That's an insult," she said.

Hill also criticized the union's response, saying it had been "useless," and warned that, in her view, "toxic principals" can "put fear in teachers who speak up by sabotaging their teacher evaluations, which in turn can affect their salary." She said this dynamic places pressure on educators and undermines the district's stated priority of student achievement.

Hill raised concerns about racial equity in staffing, saying Carrick High School has a very small percentage of Black teachers and noting Leon Smith was named the 2026 national teacher of the year. "The research is clear that educators of color not only benefit students of color, but they benefit all students," she said.

The moderator thanked Hill for speaking; there was no response in the hearing record from school administration or the board during Hill's remarks. The hearing adjourned after additional public comment; the board did not take a formal action on the matters Hill raised during this session.