NPHS Principal and NPSD Director of Special Education Appointed by Board of School Directors
It is with a great deal of pride that the North Penn School District (NPSD) announces the appointment of Peter Nicholson, III as principal of North Penn High School (NPHS) and Ann Marie Lucas as Director of Special Education following approval by the NPSD Board of School Directors at a meeting held on Thursday, July 19, 2018.
The vacancies for these administrative positions came as the result of the appointment of Dr. Todd Bauer and Dr. Jenna Rufo as NPSD Assistant Superintendents at the recent June board meeting (click here for more information). Following careful search and detailed examination by the district, Nicholson and Lucas will begin their journey in their new roles this summer in preparation for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
Nicholson and Lucas underwent three challenging rounds of interviews with more than 150 participants ranging from district administrators, board members, staff, families and community members. Participant feedback was much appreciated and served as vital component in the selection of well-qualified and eager Nicholson and Lucas for their respective roles.
Newly appointed NPHS Principal Pete Nicholson is no stranger to the high school and the North Penn community. Nicholson has been a part of the administrative team at North Penn since 2013 where he served as Assistant Principal of NPHS. Here, Nicholson worked with and supervised staff and students assigned to his home office. He also served as the administrative liaison to the Health and Physical Education, Music, Art and Technology Education departments; Advanced Placement Coordinator; SAT and PSAT Program Supervisor; Co-Chair of Act 211 Safe and Drug Free Schools Committee; and College Board Services for Students with Disabilities Coordinator among many other leadership roles. Prior to his time at NPHS, Nicholson worked for the Allentown School District from 2001 to 2013, first as a Health and Physical Education Instructor at Harrison-Morton Middle School until 2008 and then as Assistant Principal of Francis D. Raub Middle School until 2013. Nicholson earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science at Ursinus College in 2001 and his Masters of Science in Educational Leadership at Wilkes University in 2008.
"I've had the pleasure of working at NPHS for the past five years and have fallen in love with both the high school and the greater North Penn community. I couldn't be happier to get started in my new role," said Nicholson. "I plan to continue the great work we've accomplished in school culture, climate and safety throughout my tenure at NPHS while continuously improving student learning - that's why we're here."
Nicholson will hit the ground running in his new role as NPHS Principal on Friday, July 20, 2018 with guidance from previous principal, Dr. Todd Bauer in preparation for a successful start to the new school year.
Newly appointed NPSD Director of Special Education Ann Marie Lucas comes most recently from Perkiomen Valley School District (PVSD) where she served as the Elementary Supervisor of Special Education for the past six years. During her tenure at PVSD, Lucas created programs involving intensive emotional support, intensive autistic support and life skills and also initiated and implemented School Wide Positive Behavior Intervention Supports framework across the district. Prior to her position at PVSD, Lucas spent six years at Owen J. Roberts School District as a Special Education Teacher in grades four through six for the first three years and then as an Elementary Individualized Education Program (IEP) Facilitator. Lucas earned her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 2002 as well as her Masters of Special Education in 2006 from West Chester University. She earned her Supervisor of Special Education Certificate in 2011 from Penn State University and is currently attending Delaware University in pursuit of an Educational Leadership Doctorate and Superintendent Letter of Eligibility.
"I am honored to accept the opportunity to lead educators in North Penn's continued commitment to its students with the support of the North Penn community and the district's dedicated leadership team," said Lucas. "Together we will continue to support the department's mission of "developing students that are confident, independent self-advocates who contribute to society in purposeful ways.' I look forward to developing relationships with the different teams across the district while supporting and serving the NPSD to the best of my ability in my new role."
In the coming months, Lucas will work closely with her predecessor, Dr. Jenna Rufo, in making a seamless and successful transition for the start of the school year in August.
"Appointing new district administrators is never a simple task or one that should be taken lightly," said Dr. Curt Dietrich, NPSD Superintendent of Schools. "We as a district put a lot of time, consideration and planning into selecting the best candidates for each position with the feedback from our staff, families and community serving as a key role in that process. I'd like to thank everyone who volunteered their time to help us. Pete and Ann Marie both demonstrated innovation, professionalism and a deep understanding and passion for public education in their own way throughout the interview process. We look forward to seeing what their strengths, fresh perspectives and unique experiences will do in the lives of our students here at North Penn."
Congratulations to Peter Nicholson, III and Ann Marie Lucas on their respective appointments as NPHS Principal and NPSD Director of Special Education. The NPSD looks forward to working with both Nicholson and Lucas to continue to inspire its students to dream big and achieve greatness!