The North Penn School District (NPSD) Board of School Directors appointed two new assistant principals at its action meeting on September 19, 2019 to fill recent vacancies promptly for the new school year. The appointments include a current NPSD employee and a newly hired professional who will bring their expertise to North Penn schools.
Leaz Metelus will join the North Penn family as assistant principal at Penndale Middle School to fill a vacancy left by Jason Bashow who was recently appointed as principal of Gwynedd Square Elementary School. Metelus comes to North Penn from Act Academy Cyber School in Philadelphia where she served as principal for the last two years. She has a diverse background in education including roles as an instructional coach, history teacher, life skills support teacher and learning support teacher at various charter and public schools throughout Philadelphia over the last decade. These positions have allowed Metelus to develop advanced skills in areas such as in individualized education programs, curricula-based technological integration, evidence-based practices, home and school collaboration and more.
Metelus earned her Masters of Education and Special Education from Holy Family University and a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and International Business from Temple University. She is currently in pursuit of her Doctor of Education in Special Education at Arcadia University. NPSD looks forward to the well-rounded skill set and expertise that Leaz Metelus will bring to Penndale Middle School and the North Penn community.
NPSD’s very own Donald Walsh will continue his journey at North Penn as an assistant principal at North Penn High School (NPHS) to fill a vacancy left by Kyle Hassler who was recently appointed as Principal of Penndale Middle School. Walsh spent 10 years at North Penn from 1998 to 2008 in roles including assistant athletic director, special education teacher, teacher on special administrative assignment and assistant principal of NPHS. After serving as Activities/Athletic Director in the Lower Merion School District for 10 years, Walsh returned to NPSD last year as a special education teacher and then Interim Principal of Northbridge School. Prior to NPSD, he taught special education at the Colonial School District. Walsh holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary and Special Education from LaSalle University and a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Gwynedd Mercy College. Walsh’s background in education and diverse experience will allow him to work with NPSD students, families and staff in a capacity that will continue to uphold the high standards set by the school district.
Both Leaz Metelus and Donald Walsh are thrilled to begin their new positions and look forward to the next steps in their careers in NPSD.