A CAREER SHE LOVES — Sara Wright visited the School of Bright Promise as a child. Today, she serves as the school’s education director. Wright previously served as a board-certified behavior analyst at the school, a position she held for three years prior to taking on this new role. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Sara Wright is stepping into a new role at the School of Bright Promise, a place that changed her future many years ago.

The Steubenville resident was appointed as the school’s education director Aug. 4, succeeding Georgia Pavlic-Roseberry, children’s services director at the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Wright has served as a board-certified behavior analyst at the school for three years before stepping into her director’s position.

Her career took an unexpected turn years ago, when visiting the School of Bright Promise as a Steubenville Catholic Central High School student.

“I initially planned to study biochemistry and dentistry and was taking a psychology course at Central,” Wright explained. “We had a training day and came in to see what it was like at the School of Bright Promise. That one day changed my life.”

Wright found herself comfortable working with developmentally- and intellectually-disabled youth. She volunteered as a teenager, spending time with students once a week and learning staff members’ jobs.

Following graduation in 2012, she obtained a bachelor of science degree at Ohio State University in 2016.

Wright then went on to earn her master of education degree in applied behavioral analysis from the University of Cincinnati.

She began her career working for a charter school in Columbus, then at Western Psychiatric at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

She returned to Catholic Central and Bishop John King Mussio Junior High School to work before circling back to where it all began.

As an analyst, she was responsible for reviewing students’ strengths and deficits using assessments. She developed programs to increase students’ skill development and acquisition. Her job was to determine the function or the “why” of challenging behavior.

Wright will carry those skills into her new position, of which she says she is eager to get started.

“I’m thrilled,” she commented. “I believe that since I’ve been working as a BCBA for the past three years, I’d like to leverage that knowledge in my new role as director.”

“I’m eager to apply these principles outside the classroom and integrate them with academics,” Wright continued. “My objective is to thoroughly analyze the deficits across different school districts and identify the areas with the greatest need.”

Wright said being familiar with the Bright Promise staff and students is beneficial to her new role.

She said she was thrilled to work with everyone as a team and benefit the 31 pupils at her school, in addition to assisting the local school districts which the JCBDD serves.

“I will continue collaborating with the districts to identify areas requiring the most significant support based on assessments,” Wright stated. “I am committed to maintaining a strong relationship with the staff and observing their success in implementing ABA at the School of Bright Promise. My goal is to foster positive relationships, instill confidence and empower educators to excel in their roles.”

She enjoys spending time with family, including four children who range in age from 1 to 9.

She said she relished seeing the students’ faces as school began Thursday, while having the opportunity to carry the school forward.

“I’m excited that life brought me full circle,” she concluded.