New principals take helms at North Allegheny high school, Marshall Middle

North Allegheny Senior High School and Marshall Middle School are starting the new school year with new principals.

John Kreider, who had been principal at North Hills High School in Ross, has taken over the top job at the senior high, and Daniel Swoger now is principal at Marshall Middle School.

John Morey is taking Swoger's previous position as assistant principal at Ingomar Middle School.

Kreider, of Ross, spent 15 years as a high school math teacher and junior high and high school administrator.

“This may take people by surprise, considering my long involvement at North Hills, but I have fully made the transition to black and gold. I am black and gold, and it's an absolute pleasure,” said Kreider, 47, referring to NA's school colors.

“I've found the district, community, and students to be very welcoming. Many have already come in to meet me. The debate team came in, I got to meet members of the student council, and the marching band has been here practicing for the past two weeks. I can't wait until the first day of school,” he said.

Classes start Aug. 25.

One of Kreider's goals is to continue providing “world-class opportunities to students, including a curriculum embedded with rigor,” he said.

In addition, he said, he plans to enhance networking opportunities between students, residents and the business sector to assist students in making decisions about their futures.

“High school is a very exciting time for students, as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. I look forward to helping them prepare for their future,” he said.

Kreider has a bachelor's degree in math from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and completed his master's degree in education at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his PK-12 principal certification and superintendent letter of eligibility. He is working on a doctorate in education at Pitt.

His annual salary is $128,500.

“Mr. Kreider brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with him from North Hills. He was a beloved principal in that district, and we are fortunate that someone of his caliber will be setting the ‘tone at the top' for NASH,” said North Allegheny School board President Tara Fisher, 39, of McCandless.

Swoger had been the assistant principal at Ingomar Middle School from 2013 to 2015 before taking the top job at Marshall Middle School.

Swoger, 34, has a bachelor's degree in elementary and special education from St. Francis University in Loretto and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Gannon University in Erie, where he also earned his special-education supervisor certificate and principal's certificate.

His teaching career began in 2004 with the Allegheny Valley School District, based in Harmar, where he worked as an elementary and secondary emotional-support teacher and then an assistant principal at Springdale High School and director of special education.

“Mr. Swoger has a strong background in special-education issues and will be very valuable in handling some of the difficult situations that arise with respect to special-education students at Marshall Middle,” Fisher said.

“I'll support students academically and celebrate their hard work. I'll give them a voice and an opportunity to be leaders,” said Swoger, of Franklin Park.

Swoger's annual salary is $115,000.

Morey, 39, of Franklin Park comes to Ingomar Middle School from Oberon Middle School in Arvada, Colo., where he was assistant principal. He has received several performance accolades, including an Integrity Award at Oberon in 2015.

“Mr. Morey is coming to us from a district with a 1:1 technology initiative. He will be a huge asset as we begin to roll out our 1:1 technology initiative at the sixth-grade level this year,” said Fisher, referring to the district's plan to provide iPads or laptops to each student in grades one through 12 by the year 2020, starting with grades six, nine and 10 during this school year.

Morey has a bachelor's degree in psychology from St. Bonaventure University in New York and a social-studies teaching license from Edinboro University. He has a master's degree in educational administration from Cleveland State University in Ohio, where he also earned his PK-12 principal certification.

“I want to do a lot of listening and observing to find out where I can help. I want to get to know the kids and teachers. I've heard so much about how hard they work and what great people they are,” Morey said.

“I'm going to come to school each day looking for ways to support them, be an advocate for what they do and help them be successful.”

His annual salary is $100,000.

Laurie Rees is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media.