Retiring superintendent proud to be part of Cambria Heights
COVID-19 top challenge of Strasser’s career
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PATTON -- Michael Strasser has faced numerous challenges throughout his 37-year teaching career.
But of all the obstacles he has faced, arguably none have been more difficult than COVID-19.
Entering the final weeks of his career in public education, Strasser reflected on the stressful yet rewarding journey he has witnessed.
"To see the teachers, students and parents rise to the challenge when changes were not only occurring weekly, but daily and sometimes hourly, made me proud to be a part of Cambria Heights and this resilient community we call home," said Strasser, who is set to retire at the end of the school year and current Director of Education Ken Kerchenske will become the district's new superintendent.
Cambria Heights shifted between several models of learning throughout the 2020-21 school year as it faced the hardships of COVID-19.
Though the building initially closed its doors to mitigate the spread, Strasser said learning never ceased.
Working with the administrative team, the district quickly set up an online learning platform so coursework continued, which Strasser said was one of the more rewarding parts of his job.
"Within two weeks' time of the state-wide school closure on March 13, we were able to get up and running with an online learning platform for the students," Strasser said. "As the weeks turned into months and we remained at home for the entirety of the school year, our administrators and teachers worked tirelessly to try and meet the needs of the kids."
A resident of Patton and a 1978 graduate of Cambria Heights, Strasser said the Highlander community has always been home.
He and his wife, Janine, raised their sons, Adam and Zach, in the Cambria Heights School District, and the two have continued careers in public service as a teacher and nurse, respectively.
Strasser earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Penn State in 1983, though his teaching career did not begin at Cambria Heights.
He embarked on a 20-year career with the Glendale School District and taught multiple grade levels, eventually ascending to become the assistant high school principal and served as elementary principal for two years.
He served one year as middle school principal at Westmont Hilltop before returning to Cambria Heights in 2003.
Strasser gained his Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from Gannon University in 2007 and has served as the district's superintendent since 2009.
"Working at Cambria Heights has been a dream come true for me. I truly love this place," Strasser said. "My goal was always to return home and either teach or become an administrator in my home district. I never once felt like I was going to work."
Strasser said his time at Cambria Heights certainly wasn't easy as the district faced severe state budget cuts early in his tenure.
The district also suffered from aging infrastructure at the high school campus, and after escaping financial troubles from the state, a $28 million renovation project finally commenced in 2019.
As the project ensued, however, COVID-19 struck, hindering the project's completion.
District administrators credited Strasser for remaining diligent and overseeing the final stages of the project, which concluded just in time for the 2020-21 school year.
"Mr. Strasser has led the district through a major building renovation, a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and early in his tenure, significant state budget cuts," Kerchenske said. "His experience working with all parties involved allowed him to navigate the district through these challenges as smoothly as possible."
Although the struggle of COVID-19 remains, district administrators said they feel Strasser has Cambria Heights poised for future success.
When he took over as superintendent in 2009, Strasser worked with three experienced principals in the elementary, middle and high schools.
Three first-time administrators have since taken over in the past five years, though despite their inexperience, they said Strasser provided "all the tools necessary" to help them grow and advance.
"He's been an amazing mentor for all of us and has been someone we can all lean on for advice," Middle School Principal Jarrod Lewis said. "From the day I was hired, he told me that he'd be here as much or as little as I'd like. He's really someone I can count on, and he's been a huge asset for the community."
Strasser said the district also improved its security during his tenure.
Each building was equipped with limited access check-in lobbies along with a School Gate Guardian kiosk, which prevents unlawful entry into the buildings.
Through grant money, Strasser said the district was able to hire its own police officer, who is on campus every school day.
Despite all the technology and infrastructure, Strasser said the district has witnessed its biggest successes in the classroom.
The elementary school has produced excellent numbers through state testing, Strasser said, and it has also begun to lay the foundation for Mass Customized Learning, which will ultimately allow each student to learn at and master material on their level.
The middle school has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Schools to Watch program for 12-consecutive years, and the high school has been nominated as a National Blue Ribbon school.
"I would tell the staff every year at our opening in-service day that we aren't making widgets. Our product is kids and ultimately our future," Strasser said. "We need to meet the needs of every student that passes through our doors and send them out to be contributing members of society."
Kerchenske, who recently served as the high school principal before being promoted director of education, will succeed Strasser for the 2021-22 school year.
As he departs the district he calls home, Strasser said he feels the district will continue to thrive for years to come.
"We have an excellent administrative team assembled here," Strasser said. "Mr. Kerchenske has been working closely with me throughout this school year and is certainly ready to assume the duties. Ken will continue to carry on the traditions at Cambria Heights, and with a well-rounded, multi-faceted admin team, they can continue to move us into the future."
Mirror Staff Writer Calem Illig is at 814-946-7535.
The Strasser file
Name: Michael Strasser
Hometown: Patton
Education: Bachelor in Elementary Education, Penn State, 1983; Master in Education, Marygrove College, 1998; K-12 Principal Certificate, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2000; Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, Gannon University, 2007.
Family: Wife, Janine; and two sons, Adam and Zach.
Employment: Superintendent of the Cambria Heights School District.