2 New Principals Named At Neshaminy Schools

LEVITTOWN, PA — The Neshaminy School Board of Directors on Tuesday appointed new principals at two district elementary schools.

Stephanie Washam will serve as principal at Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School in Feasterville and Donald Palmer will take on the same role at Tawanka Elementary School in Langhorne.

Washam is replacing Judy Brown, who retired in August. District administrator Andre Modica, who has been serving as acting principal at Ferderbar, will return to his former position as assistant principal at Maple Point Middle School.

Palmer is currently serving as acting principal at Tawanka, replacing Robin Klaiber, who left for a principal position with the Lower Merion School District in August. Palmer previously served as acting principal at the school during the 2016-17 school year.

The selection process to fill the two spots began over the summer. A committee including administrators, teachers, parents and school board members reviewed and interviewed candidates.

"We were impressed by the quality and credentials of all the candidates," said district Superintendent Joseph Jones III. "After careful consideration and input from a variety of stakeholders, we are confident that these two individuals have the leadership capabilities, skills and personalities that will inspire excellence from their staff and students while maintaining strong, caring learning environments at their schools.

"Mr. Palmer has already demonstrated these qualities in his previous and current roles at Neshaminy, and Ms. Washam is a welcome addition to our district leadership team."

Washam is currently the Humanities Supervisor K-5 and Federal Programs K-12 for Pennridge School District. Before that she served as the State Elementary Literacy Specialist for the New Jersey Department of Education and at Scholar Academies, a Philadelphia Renaissance school. She started her education career at Acelero Learning in Camden, N.J. with the Teach for America program as a pre-kindergarten teacher and learning team leader.

Washam is a 2006 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. She earned her teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education at Montclair State University in 2008 and a masters in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum and principal certification with a concentration in Early Childhood and Reading at Drexel University in 2012.

Palmer has been with Neshaminy School District since 2006, serving in a number of teaching, support and administrative roles.

These include Health & Physical Education Teacher at Poquessing Middle School, Alternative Education Teacher at The Learning Center (the district’s alternative school), Graduation Project Coordinator at Neshaminy High School, Assistant Principal at Poquessing Middle School and Acting Principal at Tawanka.

Palmer also has served as principal of Neshaminy Summer School and a Fitness Specialist at Saint Mary Medical Center in Langhorne.

He is a 2001 graduate of Bucks County Community College where he earned an Associate of Arts Degree in
Health and Physical Education. He graduated from Temple University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in
Health and Physical Education, earned a Masters of Arts in Education from Gratz College in 2011 and
an Administrative I Certification K-12 from Cabrini College in 2012.

Photos courtesy Neshaminy School District