New principal at St. Luke no stranger to school
JEFFERSON TWP — To say Angela Turner, interim principal at St. Luke Lutheran School, knows every nook and cranny in the school building would be an understatement.
Turner, who, according to Lutheran tradition, is in the process of completing denominational requirements before being named principal officially, attended the school from kindergarten through eighth grade and taught first grade at the school for 11 years.
“Forty years ago, I walked in as a kindergartner, and now, I get to walk in as a principal,” she said of the school on Hannahstown Road.
Turner was working toward her Lutheran principal’s certification when she was approached by officials at St. Luke Lutheran Church about considering the principal’s job.
“I interviewed with the board and felt very called by God to be interim principal here,” she said.
She replaces former principal Kelly Carney, who served in the role for five years.
Turner’s goals for the school include deepening the faith and encouraging a personal relationship with Jesus for each student, academic excellence that meets the needs of every student, continuing an excellent work environment for teachers and staff, and enrollment growth.
“I would love to see our school continue to grow and touch the lives of more children in our community,” she said.
Turner encourages families to invite others with young children to visit the school, and she hopes to make the school more visible in the community through various service projects and more noticeable promotion.
Turner said an education at St. Luke is unique because the Bible is incorporated into all subject areas.
“Everything we do is based on the word of God,” she sad.
The small class sizes, which average 15 students, family atmosphere, active Parent-Teacher League, focus on safety, and various activities for students and families are other benefits of St. Luke, Turner said.
The Rev. Ben Berteau, pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church, said Turner is well qualified for the job and was an excellent teacher at the school.
But another factor, Berteau said, makes her the best choice for principal.
“She has a love, first of all, for Jesus that is overflowing and she has a love for this school family,” he said. “She is the person God has put here. She is God’s plan for St. Luke.”
Berteau said Turner is driven to pass on her good experience as a student and teacher at St. Luke to every one of the 147 students at the school.
“She has a commitment to St. Luke,” Berteau said. “She has lived her life as a student, a teacher and an interim principal here.”
Berteau said the school was lucky to get Turner during a time in education when finding outstanding administrators can be difficult.
He said most Lutheran schools search for 18 months to find a principal.
“We are really excited and thankful that God has provided her to us,” he said.
Turner said there is one difference between herself and Berteau when it comes to students arriving for class each day.
“The pastor gives high fives,” she said. “The principal gives hugs.”
Turner can’t wait to watch the future unfold in her new position, which she began July 1.
“St. Luke feels like home,” she said. “We have a Christ-centered education, excellent academics, and a place where I have been proudly connected my whole life.”
