Linda Schiller has taken over as principal at St. Elizabeth Regional School, Pershing Boulevard, Fullerton. In some ways, she is coming back home, for decades ago, she was a student at the Catholic elementary school.

In another noteworthy development, Schiller is the first layperson to be selected as principal at the school, succeeding retiring Principal Sister Bonita.

“It is exciting,” Schiller said, her voice bubbling over with enthusiasm as she looked forward to the first day of school, Aug. 29, when she met the boys and girls - 176 in all - as well as their parents or guardians.

Selected by a school committee, Schiller began her new role July 1, taking into account there is a lot of prep work to do - getting acquainted with the curriculum and meeting teachers and staff - an environment the 60-year-old educator is familiar with, drawing from past experiences.

“It’s a challenging job. I love to work with children,” Schiller said with a broad smile.

She said the boys and girls are provided not only a well-rounded academic curriculum, but teachings that support their Catholic faith and attendance at Mass.

Schiller had been principal at St. Ursula’s Catholic School, Hellertown, prior to the newest appointment. She also has been at Wind Gap Middle School for four years and St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, for nine years.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” she said.

A 1973 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School, Schiller received degrees from Lehigh County Community College (now Lehigh Carbon Community College) and Wilkes University and a certification from The Pennsylvania State University.

While computer science and technology are integral to the students’ curriculum, Schiller said so are the core academic topics, religion, art and extracurricular programs.

“We want to respect tradition,” Schiller said.