By: Molly Cunningham
Dr. Schmalzle is no stranger to the halls of Wallenpaupack. She has walked them as a student, spent nearly 20 years teaching in its classrooms, and watched her own children become part of the district. Now, she is taking on a new role as assistant principal.
For Dr. Schmalzle, stepping into administration is not about leaving the school community she knows behind. Instead, it is another way for her to contribute to a community that has been a part of her life for years.
The decision to take the role came from a desire to make a difference beyond the walls of her own classroom. After nearly two decades of teaching, Schmalzle felt ready to take what she had learned and use it to support the larger school community.
“I felt ready to serve our school community in a different way,” Schmalzle said. “I have always loved being in the classroom and working directly with students, but over the years I became increasingly interested in how I could have an impact beyond my own classroom.”
That connection to the school is a big part of what made the position feel like the right next step. Schmalzle knows this community not only as a longtime teacher, but also as someone who once sat in its classrooms herself and now watches her own children do the same.
“This is my community,” she said. “I have a real personal investment in seeing our students and our school succeed.”
But while Schmalzle may already know the school well, stepping into administration has given her a chance to see it from a completely different perspective.
As a teacher, she was used to having a schedule, lesson plans and a general idea of what her day would look like. Administration, which she has quickly learned, is a little different.
“One of the biggest adjustments has been realizing how quickly your day can change,” she said.
A morning that starts with one plan can look completely different just a few minutes later. Instead of simply reacting to those changes, Schmalzle said she is learning to balance shifting priorities while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
That has also changed the way she approaches solving problems. Not every situation has an immediate answer, and sometimes taking the time to listen and understand what is happening is more important than making a quick decision.
“Sometimes the most important thing I can do is listen, gather information, and take the time to make a thoughtful decision,” Schmalzle said.
That emphasis on listening is something Schmalzle hopes will define her approach as assistant principal. Her years in the classroom taught her that relationships matter, whether she is working with students, families or fellow teachers.
“I want to build relationships first, listen, be visible, and make sure people know that I’m here to support them,” she said.
Her teaching background also gives her an understanding of what happens on the other side of administrative decisions. Having spent so much time in the classroom herself, Schmalzle said she naturally thinks about how decisions will affect teachers and students in their everyday routines.
That perspective is especially important as she becomes part of a relatively new administrative team alongside Principal Mr. Ey and Assistant Principal/AD Mr. Buselli.
Being the newest member of the team could easily feel like a lot to take on, but Schmalzle said she has appreciated having people she can learn from while still feeling that her own ideas and experiences matter.
“I think the strongest teams are made up of people who trust and respect one another enough to have good conversations and ultimately work toward the same goal,” she said.
And while administration comes with plenty of serious responsibilities, Schmalzle has also found that a little humor goes a long way.
“Being able to laugh together and not take ourselves too seriously all the time makes a difference,” she said.
As the school year gets underway, Schmalzle is looking forward to getting out of the office and into the rest of the school. She wants to be visible in classrooms, hallways, activities, and events, giving her the opportunity to get to know students from this new perspective.
But she also wants students to know that they do not need to have a problem stopping and talking to her.
“I want students to know that they can talk to me, not only when something is wrong, but when something is going well, when they have an idea, or even just say hello,” Schmalzle said.
The same goes for staff. Schmalzle hopes teachers and other staff members know that she respects the work they do and wants to be someone they can turn to for support.
Ultimately, her goal for the new administrative team is simple: to make sure students and staff know that they are being heard.
“I hope they come to know that we are approachable, that we listen, and that we’re here because we genuinely care about this school and the people in it,” she said.
After spending so many years experiencing the school from different sides, Schmalzle now has the opportunity to bring all of those perspectives with her into one role.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to me,” Schmalzle said. “I’m genuinely excited about what we can acomplish together.”
