Beloved Social Studies Teacher From Princeton Announces Retirement

PRINCETON, NJ – Tuesday's Board of Education meeting was a special one for many reasons. Firstly, it was the school district’s first in-person meeting since the pandemic. But most importantly, the Board and community celebrated and honored social studies teacher Jefferey Lucker who announced his retirement after 53 years of service.

The Board presented a resolution to Lucker, commending him for his service to the school district.

“Jeffrey Lucker is an amazing example of dedication and zest for learning that our teachers have and I’ve had the privileged to know Jeff over the past few years,” Board president Dafna Kendall said.

“His love for our district and love for our students is unparalleled.”

Lucker was hired as a one-semester replacement on Jan 20, 1969. Over the years, he taught world history, Latin American history, Middle East history and U.S. history. In 1969, 37 students signed a petition to have Lucker appointed for the following school year.

High school principal Frank Chmiel said Lucker influenced thousands of students, educators and community members in the school district. Lucker has been a teacher through some of the most eventful times in U.S.history including the Vietnam war, the Civil Rights Movement, Woodstock and the Watergate scandal, Chmiel said.

“If you had started teaching social studies a decade or so earlier, you could have covered all of Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire,'” Chmiel said.

Tuesday night was one of many celebrations of Lucker to come, Kendall said.

Lucker’s retirement will be effective Feb. 1, 2023. He plans to participate in senior forums and go back to school by auditing college courses.

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