St. Michael's School Welcomes New Principal

This summer was a busy one at  in Upper Saucon Township, with changes to the administration and the school's two buildings. The most noticeable change has been the appearance of Lori Rutkiewicz as the new principal. For Rutkiewicz, the road to St. Michael’s was a familiar one.

Her family, firmly rooted in its faith, calls , which houses the primary school, its home parish.

Rutkiewicz also has strong ties to St. Michael’s. Her teaching career at the Catholic school began as a short-term substitute for first grade. After that, she continued to serve as needed as a substitute teacher, and was a member of the St. Michael's school board. Her two older sons are also students at the school.

This history enabled her to get to know the school and faculty well.

“I have a lot of faith in the school and faculty,” said Rutkiewicz. “Knowing the faculty well, it is an honor to have the opportunity to help lead and guide them.”

Rutkiewicz is no stranger to education. She began her career at Pennridge High School teaching English. She then turned a maternity leave into a 12-year hiatus, allowing her to spend more time at home with her children. During her absence from teaching full time, Rutkiewicz obtained her principal certification from Cabrini College, and is now one class away from completion of her master's in education.

During her maternity leave, Rutkiewicz was able to return to teaching part time as a substitute. She then took the principal's job at in 2009. After two successful years as principal, Rutkiewicz had the opportunity to become principal at St. Michael’s.

"Being a mom is what made me tick," Rutkiewicz said. "Being a principal is right up there. It is very rewarding and something I am so passionate about. I am so fortunate to have such a career.”

The theme for the 2011-2012 school year at St. Mike's is “Let His light shine.” Rutkiewicz's mission, she explained, is “to help provide for the students all the necessary resources, academic and spiritual...to help them shine as best they can throughout their lives.”

Improvements to St. Michael's two schools over the summer will help provide the physical resources students need to work toward this goal.

The Colesville middle school, which houses grades five through eight, opened with new landscaping, a remodeled office and additional classroom computers in place. Kindergarten through fourth grade students attend the primary school at St. Joseph's near Limeport, which has a newly remodeled office and had white boards and projectors added to many of its classrooms.