Department Staff
Mr. Kenneth Cross
Director of Special Education
Phone: 724-225-5380 ext. 6518
Fax: 724-228-6241
Mr. Cross began his position as the Director of Special Education for the Trinity Area School District in April of 2018.
Prior to becoming an administrator within the Trinity Area School District, Mr. Cross was a middle school special education teacher in the Burgettstown Area School District while later becoming their Director of Special Education. Mr. Cross later became the Director of Student Services in the Beaver Area School District while also serving as the Director of Special Education for the Mt. Lebanon School District. Throughout his career, Mr. Cross also spent time being an adjunct instructor at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania for several years, while teaching an evening undergraduate class within the University’s Special Education Department.
Mr. Cross earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Master in Education degree from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He also earned his Special Education Supervision Certificate through SRU as well.
Mr. Cross is excited to join the Trinity Area School District’s long tradition of student excellence while helping to develop quality programs and services for students with disabilities.
Dr. Walinda Nicholson
Assistant Director of Special Education
Phone: 724-223-2000
Dr. Walinda Nicholson joins the Trinity Area School District with 19 years of experience in special education. Most recently, she served as Director of Special Education at the Burgettstown Area School District. Prior to her administrative roles, Dr. Nicholson worked as a teacher of the visually impaired, special education teacher, and paraprofessional.
Dr. Nicholson completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Pennsylvania Western University. She earned her Special Education Supervisor Certificate from Slippery Rock University and her certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired from University of Pittsburgh. She also earned a Master of Education degree and certificates in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Carlow University. In addition, Dr. Nicholson obtained her Autism Endorsement from Carlow University.
