In Bellefonte Area School District, there have been many shifts in job titles over the summer. One of those moves was Dr. Joseph Eckenroth, when he went from being the vice principal at Bellefonte Area Middle School to becoming the principal of Pleasant Gap Elementary School.
Dr. Eckenroth served at the middle school as the vice principal for a number of years, so it was “exciting” for him to go from his vice principal role to principal.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with the students and staff at Pleasant Gap Elementary School for the same reasons I was excited to work at the middle school. I went to both schools as a student a long time ago,” he said.
Dr. Eckenroth believes that it takes time to understand how things are currently working in a new position, after you make a switch like this.
“I feel like that is what I will be doing for a little while as I get adjusted. Once that is done, I will be able to better say what changes I would bring to this school. Dr. Besch has done an excellent job for the past eight years of leading Pleasant Gap, and I am hoping to pick up where he left off,” Dr. Eckenroth said.
One might imagine that someone would have only positive reactions when they earn this position, however, Dr. Eckenroth felt a variety of emotions.
“When I first learned that I would be the new principal at Pleasant Gap Elementary, I was both thrilled and sad. I was thrilled that I would get the opportunity to work with students and adults from the community in which I grew up, but was sad that I would be moving on from the students and staff at the middle school. I have loved my time at the middle school and will surely miss seeing the students and staff on a daily basis,” he said.
Part of switching roles within a school district is being able to bring new ideas to your new role. Dr. Eckenroth plans to bring one immediate addition to Pleasant Gap.
“Well, as all the staff members at the middle school can attest to this (and some of the students), I plan on bringing my terrible dad jokes with me to Pleasant Gap. After telling these jokes to Dr. Besch, I don’t believe he has ever been a big fan of them. I think it is safe to say that my terrible jokes would be new for students and staff at Pleasant Gap,” he said.
Beyond the “dad jokes,” Dr. Eckenroth plans to learn as much as he can from the students and staff.
“In the end, I do think the job suits me because I enjoy helping students of any age learn and grow,” he said.
