Principal
Cora Snyder, Principal
Greetings Steckel Students and Families,
It is with great honor and excitement that I introduce myself, Cora Snyder, as the Principal of Steckel Elementary. My passion for education has shaped me personally and professionally. My journey in education started as a 1st grade teacher in the Allentown School District. I served this district for 11 years, teaching 1st, 2nd , 3rd and 6th grade. During this time, I received a master’s degree in Education from Cabrini University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with my principal certification from Lehigh University. I ended my time in the Allentown School District as an acting assistant principal at Roosevelt Elementary. Also, I served as the assistant principal at Siegfried and Franklin Elementary Schools in the Northampton Area School District. These wonderful experiences along with amazing colleagues, students, and families has prepared me to lead as the principal of Steckel Elementary School.
Most importantly, I look forward to working together to ensure a positive impact on student academic achievements and social emotional growth. At Steckel we remain committed to providing a positive school and classroom environment in which every student feels safe, nurtured, respected. We will continue to provide appropriate and challenging instruction to reach each and every child everyday and nurture students social and emotional learning. We will encourage and provide shared opportunities for family and school engagement as we build relationships within our community together.
On a personal note, my husband and I have 2 children Kayla 15 and Tyler 20. My husband, Chris, is also an educator and teaches Kindergarten. My hobbies include spending time with my family, running, reading and coaching soccer and watching my daughter play basketball.
It is with the enthusiasm and pride that I look forward to continuing my journey an integral part of the community with my own family and working with each of you as we continue to grow together. I look forward to an amazing year ahead of us. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas you would like to discuss. Go Zephyrs!
Dr. Alicia Knauff, Asst Principal
My educational experiences began right here in the Whitehall-Coplay School District, where I attended K-12. I then earned a degree in Psychology, Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish at Cedar Crest College. Upon being hired as an ESOL teacher in the Allentown School district, I earned my ESOL Specialist certification at DeSales University where I also completed my masters in Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages. After teaching ESOL students at Dodd Elementary for two years, I then transitioned to working at Communities In Schools, an alternative high school within the Allentown School District. I taught 9th and 10th grade English at CIS for three years before returning to Whitehall.
When the opportunity arose for me to work at my alma mater, I jumped on the opportunity and began working at Steckel in 2006 as an ESOL teacher. Upon completion of my principal certification, through Cabrini College, I transitioned to the high school in 2010. My love of learning led me to begin a doctoral program in Administration and Leadership in 2014 through East Stroudsburg University. In December of 2021, I successfully defended my dissertation and earned my Doctorate in Administration and Leadership. This school year, I am happy to return to Steckel Elementary where my career in the Whitehall-Coplay School District began.
As a graduate and resident of Whitehall, I am invested in making Whitehall-Coplay School District a place where students are excited to come, parents feel welcome, and an organization we are all proud to say we are a part of! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I welcome any feedback and look forward to meeting each of you throughout the course of the school year.