The Wissahickon School District recently welcomed two new elementary school principals who were appointed by the Wissahickon School District School Board on July 17.

Lower Gwynedd Elementary:  Mr. Philip Leddy will replace Mrs. Sue Kanopka as the next principal of Lower Gwynedd Elementary School.  Since 2019, Mr. Leddy has served as House Principal in the Spring-Ford Area School District’s Grades 5-6 Center.  He has served as Committee Chair of the district’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and prides himself on developing, supporting an maintaining a positive school culture that emphasizes belongingness and collaboration.  Prior to Spring-Ford, Mr. Leddy served as an elementary and middle school teacher in Norristown Area School District for 6 years.

Mr. Leddy received his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University and his master’s degree from Cabrini College.

Stony Creek Elementary:  Mrs. Stephanie Washam will replace Mrs. Paula Venezia as the next principal of Stony Creek Elementary School.  Since 2016, she has served as a K-5 Principal in Pennridge School District where she implemented and trained staff on Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) – a systematic framework to ensure successful academic, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes for all students.  Prior to Pennridge, Mrs. Washam served as elementary principal in Neshaminy School District, was a State Elementary Literacy Specialist for the New Jersey Department of Education and served in various elementary level teaching position for five years.

Mrs. Washam received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, her master’s degree from Drexel University, and is currently pursuing her doctorate at Northeastern University.

“I am really excited about the energy, expertise, dedication and compassion that these two principals will provide to our students, staff and families in the coming years.  The appointments were made with careful consideration of our district’s needs and community feedback, as we sought a purposeful blend of emphasizing academic excellence along with the social and emotional needs of all students,” said Dr. James A. Crisfield, Superintendent of Schools.