Portman retires from K-12 school community
by Dan Rzewnicki, Editor in Chief
January 24, 2012
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After working as K-12 principal for the past four years, Dr. Cynthia Portman retired Jan. 10. Superintendent Dr. James Budzilek will assume her post, functioning both as superintendent and K-12 principal in a money-saving move by the school board. Matt Kruluts remains the K-12 assistant principal.
Before Portman left, however, she sat down with TrottyVeck editor Dan Rzewnicki to discuss her 35 years in education. Portman began her career in Mercer teaching remedial math and reading, moving up to the assistant principal spot before taking the elementary principal position in Leechburg.
TrottyVeck: After becoming the principal, did you ever miss teaching?
Portman: “I miss the ability to work with students every day. But, I felt I had the opportunity to get a little bit of that at honors assemblies as well as working with teachers. But I think once a teacher always a teacher. You will always miss it no matter what you’re doing.”
TV: What will you miss most about working at Leechburg and in public education?
Portman: “Seeing the students every day, being able to say hello, calling students by name and saying something positive to them. Just personal contact with the students and staff every day.”
TV: What have all your students taught you?
Portman: “That there’s nothing better than seeing the spark of a smile on a student’s face. They taught me patience, how special and unique each person is, and what each person can bring to a classroom. You learn something new every day.”
TV: What are your retirement plans?
Portman: “Being able to go on vacation in the middle of winter. I’m going to Key West this February with my husband and brothers-in-law and their wives. And I also plan to supervise student teachers at Clarion in the spring and fall semesters. I plan to spend more time with my family and friends in Mercer when I move back in June.”
TV: What was the highlight of your time at Leechburg?
Portman: “Times when the school community was together: honors assemblies, graduations, the prom, I think this is really neat here. Many schools do not have an interconnected K-12 community like ours.”
TV: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Portman: “I want to go to Europe. It’s definitely one of my goals to go to Italy, Rome and other places to see things that are thousands of years old.”
TV: What are your biggest accomplishments at Leechburg?
Portman: “Being a positive influence on students of all ages, encouraging students to do their best in academics and athletics, as well as bringing students together in a real learning community, creating an elementary alma mater and motto, as well as starting the elementary morning announcements. I wanted to create a K-12 community.”
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