Sheckler Elementary School students and staff should prepare to see some new faces for the 2022-23 school year. One of these additions is the new Sheckler Elementary principal, Dr. Robert Kucharczuk.

Kucharczuk has been in education for 15 years.

He graduated from Parkland High School. He then attended Kutztown University for both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Kucharczuk earned his Doctor of Education in educational leadership, with a concentration in educational technology, from Wilkes University in 2018.

He started his teaching career as an art teacher in the Oley Valley School District in Berks County in 2007. He then worked as an art teacher and instructional technology integration coach in the Wyomissing Area School District. He also focused on positive behavior intervention and support.

In 2018, Kucharczuk made the move from teacher to administrator when he was named the assistant principal for the Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center, spanning kindergarten through fourth grades.

As he and his family live in South Whitehall, the drive to Berks County was a challenge, so he noted he kept looking for something closer.

“I always wanted to make my way back to the Lehigh Valley,” he said.

He also added he was looking for a certain environment. He enjoyed the smaller, community-based environment Wyomissing offered, and that was an important factor in his search.

“I was eager to submit an application to Catasauqua and be given the opportunity,” he said, noting everything he looked for was present in CASD.

The outgoing Sheckler principal, Eric Dauberman, has taken on a new role as director of academic recovery. He said the search for his replacement involved weeding through the resumes of many interested candidates and narrowing them down.

“After some long deliberation, we finally all came to the conclusion that Rob Kucharczuk would be the best fit for the position,” Dauberman said. “Rob is coming from a school district that is very similar to Catasauqua in size, and it is steeped in small community values.”

He added Kucharczuk’s experience and knowledge “will allow him to hit the ground running” in the district.

“After multiple interviews and thorough conversations with Rob’s references and colleagues, it became clear that he was the perfect candidate for the position,” Dauberman said. “I look forward to working with Rob and his new assistant over the next school year in an effort to make Sheckler an even better place than it already is.”

Coming from an assistant principal role, this will be the first time he is filling the role of principal. Kucharczuk noted he was looking for the right place to make that jump.

“This feels so much like the right place,” he said. “It’s a privilege and honor.”

He believes consistency is important in a school’s administrative team.

“I want to find that home I can be with for some time, for the long haul,” he said.

He is eager to get started and to get to know the faculty, staff and students. He noted he looks forward to the opportunity to build relationships, not only within the school community but also the wider community as a whole.

He added raising his children and watching them grow and learn has given him an “extra-special perspective” as an educator.

Commenting on the school’s already successful environment, Kucharczuk said he isn’t looking to fix anything when he joins the Sheckler team.

“I want to support the success that’s already there but allow us to continue to grow,” he said.

Kucharczuk noted he has a love for literacy and can’t wait to dive into the program. Additionally, as his background is as an art teacher, he is looking to further integrate the arts and athletics.

“I’m a big believer in shared voice and shared vision,” Kucharczuk said, adding he is the “new person” and wants to keep an open mind and get to know his team and their goals.

“I come from a place of service,” he said. “That’s where I thrive.”

He said he is excited to work in the best interest of not only the Sheckler students and staff, but the larger community. He believes it is an important mindset for administrators and educators to have - serving others.

“It’s exciting to be back home and continue to build upon success,” he said.

He officially took the reigns as Sheckler principal July 1.

“I’m really excited to jump in and get to know everybody,” Kucharczuk said. “I can’t wait to meet everyone.”