Former Northampton Assistant Principal Cora Snyder has transferred across the Cement Belt to become the new principal at Steckel Elementary School.

Snyder is the fourth principal at Steckel Elementary in the past 12 months. Glenn Noack moved to the middle school last summer, opening the elementary spot for Peter Bugbee. Bugbee took a leave of absence in January and is scheduled to retire in August. Karen Nicholas finished the 2017-18 school year as interim principal.

Snyder is excited to bring some long-term stability to the position. Her goals for the school include providing a positive school and classroom environment, creating an appropriate and challenging curriculum and providing shared opportunities for family and school engagement.

“The one constant when I hear people talk or fill me in about Steckel is the family atmosphere here, and it shows,” Snyder said. “They are looking for a leader, and I am proud to be the new principal and that leader.”

Snyder served as assistant principal at the Northampton Borough Elementary Schools last year after spending 11 years in the Allentown School District. She taught first, second, third and sixth grade before a stint as acting assistant principal at Roosevelt Elementary School.

“I have always enjoyed the growth that we see in elementary students and the relationships we build along the away,” Snyder said. “I have always worked with elementary-age children and love the curiosity they possess and the ability to surprise us when we set high expectations for them.”

Snyder received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in educational leadership with principal certification from Lehigh University. She is married with two children, ages 9 and 13.