York County is a long way from Pennsylvania, but Bethel Manor principal Michael Lombardo feels right at home at his new school.
Lombardo’s move to Bethel Manor Elementary is the latest step in a 23-year career as an educator with both York County and Williamsburg-James City County schools.
Lombardo said his goal of becoming an educator started at a young age. Growing up in Pennsylvania, both of his parents were teachers.
“Because of that, I was really able to see the impact teachers have, and the positive impact they have on the lives of students,” Lombardo said.
Having experienced that impact for himself, Lombardo studied education at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with the intention of becoming a teacher. After receiving his degree, he relocated to the Historic Triangle to work as a classroom teacher for WJCC schools at Matthew Whaley Elementary, a job he would hold for the next 13 years.
Lombardo said his time in the classroom provided him with valuable experience working with curricula, developing relationships with students and parents, and understanding how best to help students achieve academically.
While Lombardo said he enjoyed and was thankful for his time at Matthew Whaley, he thought he could do more to benefit students through an administrative role. He worked toward a master’s degree at the College of William & Mary and was hired by the York County School Division as an assistant principal at Magruder Elementary.
For the past 10 years, Lombardo has worked as an assistant principal and principal in YCSD, and was principal at Magruder Elementary before taking the same job at Bethel Manor. Located in the southern part of York County, Bethel Manor serves a community consisting primarily of military families. Lombardo said that fact gave the school a unique identity.
“We do serve a largely military population, and they take real pride in Bethel Manor,” Lombardo said.
Lombardo said his years of experience in the district were a valuable asset in getting to know the Bethel Manor community, and his tenure as an administrator has prepared him for his role as a new principal. But he also said his 13 years in the classroom were invaluable, showing him how best to connect with students and giving him the perspective of a teacher.
With that combination of experience from both inside the classroom and in leadership positions, Lombardo said he was prepared to support students, parents and staff in their pursuit of excellence.
Lombardo said the best way to do that was to emphasize 21st-century learning, focusing on collaboration, communication and critical thinking.
“Part of my philosophy is that all students will achieve to their greatest potential,” Lombardo said.
Making that happen will continue the tradition of excellence at Bethel Manor, Lombardo said. After a week of classes, Lombardo thinks students and staff at the school are well on their way.
