3 New BASD Principals are all Grads of Lehigh's College of Education

• Erin Hines will start at Hanover Elementary School on July 1, 2019. Hines was an administrative intern at Clearview Elementary School from January 29, 2019 to present. Prior to that, she was a special education teacher at Fountain Hill Elementary School since 2001. Hines received her Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University in 2018, completing Lehigh’s Urban Principals Academy (U*PAL).

• Erin Martin-Medina will start at Donegan Elementary School on July 1, 2019. Martin-Medina was an assistant principal and principal in Allentown School District from 2011-present. Prior to that she was a teacher in Allentown School District from 2007-2011. She earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership with a K-12 principal certification from Lehigh University in 2012.

• Courtney Wertman-Stambaugh will begin on June 17, 2019 at Fountain Hill Elementary School. Wertman-Stambaugh was employed in BASD as a Grade 6 teacher at Nitschmann Middle School from 2006-2014. In 2014, she went to Allentown School District where she was an assistant principal and acting principal from 2014-2017. From 2017-2019, she has been a principal at Fleetwood School District. Wertman-Stambaugh earned a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership and principal certification from Lehigh University in 2010.

Lehigh University's Educational Leadership program, based in the College of Education, has had a longstanding relationship with BASD. Both Dr. Joseph J. Roy, BASD superintendent, and Dr. Jack Silva, BASD assistant superintendent, hold degrees from Lehigh.

“We know the high quality of the program and that Lehigh graduates are committed to public education and to social justice,” Roy said. “We are fortunate to bring on board three outstanding new principals - all with a strong academic background from Lehigh.”

Dr. William Gaudelli, dean of Lehigh’s College of Education, said the College is proud of these alumnae.

“The College is committed to providing the highest quality of professional education in our community and beyond and these appointments underscore that commitment,” Gaudelli said. “Congratulations to them and BASD and we look forward to hearing about all of the great work that they will do leading their schools.”

The three principals said they look forward to working together.

“The fact that we all have a similar educational background and foundation is a strength,” said Martin-Medina, herself a product of BASD (Fountain Hill Elementary, Broughal Middle and Liberty High). “We understand the importance and power of collaboration with one another and within the community. As we transition into our new positions, I see us supporting one another across buildings as well as tapping into the many resources that Lehigh University has to offer.”

They also praised the leadership development and mentorship they gained through Lehigh’s College of Education.

“A strong partnership has developed between BASD and Lehigh University,” Wertman-Stambaugh said. “I am honored to be part of both educational institutions, as both exemplify the true essence of meeting the needs of 21st century learners.”