Justin Baker joined the Pottstown District in 2007 as the Athletic Trainer. For 14 years, he has taken care of all the student athletes for the Middle School and High School sports programs. It wasn’t until the 2021 school year that Justin took on a new role in the school district as the Director of Co-Curricular Activities. He has always been a proud supporter of student activities and hopes to continue their further success with the new role.

Throughout Justin’s tenure here at Pottstown, he has found other ways to be involved in the school community. From being an AIM mentor and helping with graduation projects to being one of the district’s CPR Instructors to even being a lunch proctor when he first started in the district. Getting involved in all the various student fundraisers, community service projects, and district wide events have only helped Justin see how great a school district Pottstown can be.

Justin’s educational background consists of a Bachelors of Science in Sports Medicine from West Chester University. After college, he passed the National Athletic Trainers Association BOC exam to become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). Upon getting his licensure in Pennsylvania, he was able to start practicing as an athletic trainer. Justin worked part time as the assistant athletic trainer for West Chester East High School for one year, and it was through that job experience that he was able to get the opportunity to become the athletic trainer for Pottstown. He is currently further pursuing his education to obtain his CAA certification (Certified Athletic Administrator).

My career in education began as a substitute teacher at Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center (RMCTC). I spent the prior 16 years in the technology field and, while I enjoyed working with computers, I always felt as though something was missing. When I began teaching, I realized this is what I was always meant to do. Teaching is more than a career, it's a calling. I was soon hired as a long-term substitute and eventually as the permanent Computer Systems Technology teacher at RMCTC. After a few years, I began teaching Web Design and eventually became the Work Based Learning Coordinator which put me in charge of CTE students doing co-ops and internships. I enjoyed Work Based Learning as it put me in touch with the community and challenged me to forge partnerships with business and industry for the benefit of our 1200 students. About seven years later, an administrative position became available and I was encouraged to apply. I spent the last four years of my 24-year tenure at RMCTC serving as the CTE Director of Instructional Programs.

I received my Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Temple University and never doubted my career change. I enjoy knowing that I have the opportunity to positively impact our students while preparing them for post-secondary education and providing our community with a pipeline of skilled workers. I am honored to serve as the Director of Career and Technical Education at Pottstown High School and look forward to working hard to make our CTE programs the best they can be.

After graduating from Pottstown Senior High School in 1995, I followed in the footsteps of my devoted English teacher, Debbie Demko, and continued my postsecondary schooling at Bloomsburg University. After completing my undergraduate studies, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In 2005, I completed my Master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology from Temple University. Soon after, I went into the Principal Certification program at Alvernia College.  

Because of my love for reading, I completed my Reading Specialist certification at Cabrini College in 2009. My entire professional career has been with the Pottstown School District. I started in 2000 and worked as a classroom assistant and taught 1st , 2nd , 3rd , and 5th grades. For four years I was an Instructional Coach for Rupert, Edgewood, and Lincoln elementary schools.   

Currently, I am the principal of Lincoln Elementary school where I am proud to lead the school where I once attended as a student. As a product of Pottstown School District and a member of the community in which I work, I truly have a vested interest in our schools. I truly believe our schools are second to none.

I have strong ties to the community and enjoy attending community events with my family and positively socializing with our families. I want to see our students succeed and fulfill their dreams. I believe school should be a place where the minds of children should “run free”. My main goal at Lincoln is to establish a caring school climate and positive relationships between students and staff. I want to be sure that all students can achieve academically, free from harassment, intimidation and bullying. Lincoln is truly a wonderful place to work and a place I call home. Lincoln has dedicated teachers, classroom assistants, and a support staff that make the school a wonderful place for students to prosper. I feel privileged to be the principal of Lincoln Elementary School and serve the community of Pottstown.

EDUCATION: I graduated from Shippensburg University in May of 2010 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education majoring in Secondary Social Studies. Following graduation, I continued at Shippensburg University as a graduate student studying Curriculum and Instruction. I graduated with my Master’s of Science in Education in the Summer of 2013. Following that Master’s degree, I attended Edinboro University to begin my journey toward administration. I studied Educational Leadership and finished my post-Master’s certificate as a PK-12 Principal in December of 2015. As a lifelong learner, I could not stop taking courses and found myself enrolled in another graduate program with Edinboro University with an emphasis in Online Learning. I graduated with that second Master’s Degree in Online Learning in May of 2020. Most recently, I worked with Shippensburg and Millersville Universities to complete a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. I successfully defended my dissertation in July of 2022.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: In the Fall of 2011 I began my educational career as a Social Studies teacher in Mechanicsburg Middle School. I taught there for six years while also serving as the head track and field coach for Mechanicsburg High School. Through teaching, I learned the value of building relationships with kids, the wonderful feeling when you make learning fun, and the positive impact that we can have on kids each and every day through education. In 2017 I became the Assistant Principal at Bermudian Springs Middle School in Adams County. During this time I focused on positive behavior supports, implementing social and emotional learning programs, and building a positive school climate. In 2020, I accepted a new position as the principal of New Cumberland Middle School in the West Shore School District, outside of Harrisburg. While at West Shore, I worked collaboratively with parents, teachers, and students to design systems of supports that would help every student find success. In the Fall of 2022, I accepted the position of Principal of Pottstown High School. My wife grew up in Pottstown and we are excited to move back to the area. I look forward to building great relationships with everybody here while supporting teachers, learners, and families in their journey toward success.

When I young, I would spend my “off” school days with my Godmother, in her Health and Physical Education classes at Burnside Elementary in Norristown. Watching the impact she had on her students, school and community sparked my excitement in joining the world of education. After graduating from Perkiomen Valley High School, I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned my degree in Elementary Education. I started my career with the Philadelphia School District. While teaching 3rd, 4th, and 8th grade in Philadelphia, I realized I was really good at teaching Math and really bad at teaching Reading. Knowing this, I went back to school at Walden University to earn my Master’s Degree in Reading.

As our family grew, I began teaching in the Reading School District so I could be closer to home. While teaching 5th and 6th grade in Reading, I recognized my desire to impact more students and went Cairn University to earn my Principal Certification. I’ve been given the honor to become the Pottstown Middle School 5th and 6th grade Assistant Principal and I look forward to getting to know the students, families and staff in order to continue to make this school Pottstown Proud!

I grew up in Phoenixville and graduated from Phoenixville High School. After graduating high school, I went on to Ursinus College to get a degree in business administration. I did not remain in the corporate world for long. An old college teammate called me to help him fill a coaching vacancy and after coaching football for a few seasons, I realized that the cubicle life was not for me. Coaching made me realize my true passion was working with kids and teaching. I went back to school and in 2008 received my Pennsylvania teaching certificate in business and computer technology from Gwynedd Mercy University. I started my classroom teaching career at Saint Gabriel’s Hall in 2008 where I taught Microsoft Applications for 5 years.  

I began working in Pottstown in 2013 as the Middle School Computer Applications teacher, and then eventually made my way into Middle School Math. After 5 years in the classroom, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership. I earned my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Gwynedd in 2019. This is my 11th year with the Pottstown School District and now, I am the Barth Elementary Principal! I am truly excited and hopeful for this upcoming year and what we can accomplish at the Barth Elementary!

I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. I went to Saint Joseph’s University, graduating with a major in History and a minor in Secondary Education. After college, I spent several years in sales before having the opportunity to come back to work in education. I became a Social Studies teacher at Penn Wood High School in the William Penn School District. 

While teaching at Penn Wood, I pursued my Masters in Educational Leadership at Arcadia University and earned my Administrative Certification. I taught ninth and tenth grade students for eight years at the High School, every day learning more and more from my students and their families. In 2016, I moved into an administrative role in William Penn, becoming Principal of Bell Avenue Elementary School.

I learned that working with Elementary-age students is an incredible gift, and that I gained a monumental responsibility to start my students’ educational careers off on a path to success. I grew up in nearby Collegeville, and volunteered at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center for several years in Middle and High School, where my mother also worked. Pottstown always impressed me as a strong community in which people took much pride. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to come to Franklin Elementary, and to work with the dedicated staff and amazing families to provide new and exciting opportunities for our students.

It was as an 11th grade student at Upper Merion High School that I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My 11th grade English teacher showed the impact that a teacher can have on their students and it was then that I followed those teachings into a career of my own. I was able to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania and obtain my degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies.

Following graduation from West Chester, I worked in several different schools in several different roles, but made the biggest impact as a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia. Teaching 7th grade Social Studies allowed me to have the same impact as my favorite teacher and I too was able to impact the lives of students who needed support and guidance. I created bonds with my students and showed them the importance of an education.

It was in Philadelphia that I strived to make a larger impact in the world of education. Going back for my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and obtaining my Principal K-12 certification was the way to make those changes. As a member of the Pottstown community, I want to use my knowledge and impact to help all students in Pottstown. I see great potential and cannot wait to see where this next step goes!

My life with the Pottstown School District began at Lincoln Elementary School as a kindergarten student. After graduating from Pottstown High School, I attended Shippensburg University where I received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Total Information Systems and Design. Upon graduation I spent several years in the business sector, working primarily in the banking industry.

Achieving a Master of Education in Curriculum and Technology from Temple University followed by a Principal’s certification from Cabrini College and a Director’s certification in Career and Technical Education has lead to a very rewarding career. I am proud of the 13 years I have spent at Pottstown High School helping young adults prepare for life in the 21st century.

My years as a remediation teacher, gifted itinerant support instructor, and business teacher have provided me with an excellent background in the teaching of high school students. My years in the Career and Technical department of Pottstown High School afforded me the chance to learn the many aspects of this valuable educational opportunity for students.

Pottstown High School has the unique distinction of being a comprehensive high school. Career and Technical programs are housed within the walls of the high school. The advantage of having academic classes scheduled in tandem with career and technical classes, gives Pottstown’s students the unique advantage of not having to miss out on any high school experiences. As the Director of Career and Technical Education it is my honor to provide leadership and support for the instructors and students of the Career and Technical department at Pottstown High School. 

As a parent it has always been my goal to raise my children to be successful, well-rounded adults. The choice to educate them through the Pottstown School District is one which I am happy to say has served them well. Each of my children began their educational journey at Edgewood Elementary School. I can remember the days when my oldest son had to put his backpack down in order to use two hands to open the door to kindergarten! Their years in the Pottstown school system were successful and prepared them well for post-secondary education. Each of them has graduated with honors from Pottstown High School. As class presidents and salutatorians, two of my children spoke at their high school graduations. Never one to be outdone, my youngest son also spoke as class president, but was the valedictorian.

Each of their graduation speeches included a component commending the excellent opportunities and experiences afforded them as students of the Pottstown School District. My own children are proof that Pottstown School District offers students the tools necessary to succeed in the 21st Century. All have graduated from college with honors and have embarked on careers in their chosen fields. They have been commended in business situations for the poise and ease they exhibit in any situation. They always attribute their composure to the years they spent in the diverse and accepting culture of the Pottstown School District. As my oldest child continues to be promoted in the field of supply chain management for one of the largest government agencies, as my middle child embarks on her career as a commercial transaction attorney, and as my two-time NCAA national champion begins his career as a financial analyst with one of the largest banks in the world, I cannot help but be proud as a parent, but also as a Pottstown School District educator!

Born and raised in Pottstown , I attended Rupert Elementary School for all of my elementary years, and graduated from Pottstown High School . I went on to receive my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Pennsylvania Teaching certificate from Shippensburg University . After receiving my degree, I substitute taught for a few months in the Spring- Ford School and Pottstown School Districts . Following a few months of substitute teaching, I was hired as a full time 5 th grade teacher in the Spring-Ford School District.

While teaching at Spring-Ford, I worked toward and received a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, and my Pennsylvania Principal’s certification from Cabrini College in Radnor , Pennsylvania . After six years as a fifth grade teacher in Spring-Ford, I moved to my first administrative position as Assistant Principal of Schuylkill Valley Elementary School in Lessport , Pennsylvania . I spent three years at Schuylkill Valley before becoming principal of Rupert Elementary in August 2005.

As the Principal of Rupert Elementary, I work cooperatively with parents and staff to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment for our children. Through our dedicated work together, we strive to prepare every student for success in our every changing global economy. It is my great pleasure to get to know each and every child that attends our school by name, and I enjoy watching them grow and learn. Our passion for excellence is seen daily through the commitment we have to providing the children we serve with the knowledge they need to be successful in whatever their future holds. As Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is Power.”

I welcome you to call and make an appointment to visit our school. After over 90 years of education, Rupert Elementary is alive with the excitement of children learning each and every day.

Teaching has always been a dream of mine since I was in grade school. I grew up in Royersford and graduated from Spring-Ford Area School District. After graduating high school, I went on to Kutztown University to earn a degree in Middle-Level Education, specializing in Math and Language Arts. As a middle school student, school and the overall learning process were hard for me. 

I struggled to focus and had to work very hard to find strategies to help me learn and pay attention in my classes. In middle school, my teachers worked hard to help me get on track, teaching me study skills and life hacks that have helped me remain successful in school and throughout my adult life. This experience motivated me to become a teacher and help other students reach and maintain their own successes in life, just as teachers had helped me long ago! I started my classroom teaching career at Chester Community Charter School and then in the Reading School District. 

I began working in Pottstown in 2017 as a 6th Grade Math/Science teacher, then moving into 8th grade Math/Alg 1, and finally spending a year as an MTSS Coach for the district. I graduated with a Master's degree in Education in 2018 with certifications as a Reading Specialist and in ESL, and earned an Instructional Coaching certification in 2019 all from Kutztown University. I completed my Principal K-12 certification in 2020 from Kutztown University. 

During my time at Pottstown, I had the pleasure of coaching our middle school and high school softball teams as well as being a coordinator for the middle school WEB program. After 7 years of educational experience, I decided to pursue leadership within the Pottstown School District, and I am excited to now be the 8th grade house principal at the middle school. I am looking forward to all we will accomplish at the middle school this year!