Mark Dysert had just graduated from Gannon University with a degree in education and was working as a substitute teacher when he received a phone call that would change his life.

A friend who had just started working as a counselor at Adelphoi called to inform him that the organization was looking for full-time group home counselors. Mark, who was also working two part-time jobs in addition to teaching, decided to take a chance and applied.

“I was hired a few days after my interview with former COO Dirk Matson,” stated Mark. He officially began his long and distinguished career with Adelphoi on August 25, 1992, which included serving as counselor in various group homes until 1997. It was at that time when Mark was hired as a teacher/caseworker at Adelphoi’s Model Education Program in South Greensburg.

After his move into education, Mark assumed a series of positions that included lead teacher, and serving as supervisor of educational programs. 

In the summer of 2004, Adelphoi Education entered into a lease for the former Hartford Heights Elementary School from the Norwin School District. “At that time, our then Education Director Dr. Robert Ketterer asked me to become the education supervisor of this new program and return to graduate school to earn a Master’s degree and principal certification, which I completed in the fall of 2008 from St. Vincent College in Latrobe,” said Mark.

He served in the role of principal of Hartford Heights until February of 2015. During those years, Adelphoi expanded into many school districts in Allegheny County and opened the first elementary emotional support classroom.

“I was, and still am, proud to have led and been a part of some absolutely terrific staff teams who cared deeply about kids, about Adelphoi and about the company’s mission,” he exclaimed. “It was special to watch younger staff members further their own educational experiences along the way and move on and up into leadership positions.

“One of our best and steadiest teachers during all of those years, Rich Ginther, returned to grad school, earned his principal certificate and became Hartford Heights’ principal when I left in 2015,” he noted.

“Joscelyn Gaston is another. She was a young, outstanding special education teacher at another agency when we were fortunate enough to convince her to work for us at Hartford Heights. Joscelyn also returned to grad school and eventually moved on to supervise all of Adelphoi’s special education services and is now one of Adelphoi Education’s education directors.”

In 2015, Mark moved into an administrative role and began serving as one of Adelphoi Education’s directors. “I have spent time supervising programming, as well as the principals who oversee our schools,” he detailed. “I have worked closely with representatives of the Department of Education in Harrisburg with regard to the yearly licensing of our schools so that we remain compliant to operate current and new programming.”

Today, Mark primarily serves as a liaison between Adelphoi Education and the school district personnel who refer the students. He travels to public schools across Western Pennsylvania to promote Adelphoi schools and programming and to also hear the concerns of the public school stakeholders. He also does a considerable amount of compliance work in regards to school licensing in partnership with the Department of Education and the school principals.

“I am still growing into this position and I have much work to do. I’m still learning on the job after 30 years,” he confessed.

In a day and age when loyalty to a company and a career is waning, Mark credits the mission of Adelphoi and his co-workers for his longevity. “There are so many good people at Adelphoi,” he commended. “Sound, competent people who care about others and care about doing good work. This has meant a lot to me over the course of my career to be surrounded by those kinds of folks.”

“And the kids,” he continued “ I was fortunate enough to be raised by two humble, hard-working, Pittsburgh-born and raised parents,” he reminisced. “We didn’t have many luxuries growing up, but we were loved, cared for and safe. That is not the case with many or most of our kids. I think a big piece of me choosing this field of work is based on wanting to give something positive back to these young people who didn’t have the same, fair chance I did as a kid.”

These same kids have also provided Mark with some of his fondest memories over the years.

“What has meant the most over the years is watching students, who many adults had written off or put down at some point, earn their high school diplomas. To see their faces when they finally make it at their ceremonies is very special to me. And I know it means a lot to our teachers and staff members as well,” he stated.

“Also having kids in their 20s, 30s or even 40s now stop by or telephone occasionally to say ‘thank you’ for helping them along the way, or even for being tough on them when it was necessary at times. Those moments validate the difficult work many of us do. Simple thank you’s mean a lot.”

Mark’s 30 years were not without a few challenges along the way. Changes to education and special education law have proven, and continue to be, a challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented changes to schools and the way education was presented.

“Fortunately, I think we have very underrated, but ultra-competent people in our upper admin levels who have led us very well in this area,” he added.

As he celebrates this service milestone, he had the following words of advice for his co-workers: “Check your mood and your personal troubles in at the front door before you enter work each day, especially to those in direct care with students and residents. Take a deep breath and come in and be part of making work better and the lives of our kids better.”

Mark, who was born in Cleveland and raised in Greensburg, currently resides in Latrobe with his wife of 23 years, Lisa, who works in human resources at Adelphoi. He has a stepdaughter, Anna, who lives in Virginia and is a special education and math teacher for Culpepper County School District and a son, Matthew, who is a sophomore majoring in business at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a proud member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, is a Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pitt athletics fan, and enjoys attending live sporting events and concerts. He also enjoys playing golf and basketball.