Schools

After 23 Years, Principal Takes His Leave

Dan Marsella is retiring as principal of Chatham Park Elementary School in Havertown.

It's rare to have a principal of a school stay for 23 years. Dan Marsella, who is retiring as principal of Chatham Park Elementary School in Havertown after that amount of time, knows this well.

Marsella, who has worked in the education industry for 43 years, credits his staff, community and students for his longevity in the job.

Marsella told Havertown Patch that the school has "great kids who come from supportive families and phenomenal teachers who go above and beyond."

Marsella said he did not intend to become an administrator when he started out teaching in the North Penn School District, but someone suggested he would be good at it, and it turns out that person was right.

"I have the ability to get people to reach consensus," he said. "I have a lot of trust and faith in people."

The Eagleville, Montgomery County resident will leave Chatham Park for the last time on June 28. The grandfather of three (with one on the way) plans on spending time with his grandchildren, his hobbies and his wife (maybe at the beach, he said).

He said he will miss his staff and the children, who live in a world that "when you look at it through their eyes you can stay perpetually young at heart."

"I would not change a thing," he said of his career. "I am leaving very happy and proud, and a little said, but I certainly feel very fortunate." 


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