Mark Fetterman

Have you ever spent time with someone who has a good sense of humor? You laugh and listen, laugh some more, and walk away feeling fantastic. Those kinds of people make life more enjoyable simply by being themselves. Mr. Mark Fetterman, the principal at Apollo-Ridge Elementary School, is just such a person. His exuberance and amiable personality make him an excellent leader for the 793 students and staff in his school. Yet one quality that defines Mark as an outstanding principal is his ability to effectively communicate his appreciation of others and build collaboration within the school.

To express what makes Apollo-Ridge Elementary unique, he says, “It’s the people… the students, the staff, and the parents. When we interview people for positions of any kind, we pick people who are nurturing to our children, caring individuals, with a lot of enthusiasm. We want that enthusiasm to be contagious to our children. We endeavor to make our school a place where the children have fun and feel comfortable.” Mark also praises the faculty for their commitment to promote a positive attitude that encourages learning without fear of failure. He goes on to say that they are dedicated to identify and respond to the needs of the children. His words denote the gratitude he has for the teachers and staff, who do all they can to help each child grow. He adds, “The bottom line is, that it’s the people who make the difference.”

In addition, Mark praises the wonderful support of the parents. “We have a very active PTA. They bring in a lot of programs for the students through their fundraising efforts. When we need an extra pair of hands, they’re an excellent resource. Over the years they’ve done so much for our school.”

Recognizing the importance of collaboration among teachers as well as between parents and teachers, Mark works hard to encourage these partnerships. He explains, “The collaboration, the partnerships between the community, the parents, and the school is critical for success in schools today. The teamwork between the school and parents has certainly cultivated successful students. In 1999, Apollo-Ridge Elementary was recognized by the Regional Education Index as being an “Exemplary School.” Mark explains that, “Though the school is considered socio-economically deprived, we were reported as ‘beating the odds’ for an excellent performance on the PSSA tests.” The students have continued to score well each year on these performance tests.

Along with the accolades he gives the staff and parents, it is clear that Mark has developed a strong relationship with his students. The highlights of his days are the moments he gets to interact with them. When he walks into the cafeteria, the children wave excitedly and greet him. When he watches them board the bus, they go over and swarm him with hugs. “Those moments tell me that I’m doing something right. It’s very gratifying that they don’t view me as a threat, but as an ally,” notes Mark.

When not at school, Mark stays busy with two businesses that he owns with his brother, Kiski Valley Uniform and Foxes Pizza in Leechburg. On a Sunday afternoon though, you may catch him taking a spin with his wife Shirley on his Harley Davison V-Rod. He also loves to go golfing with his son, Eric.

With 20 years of teaching and 13 years as a principal, Mark has impacted many lives. He serves each day with a clear focus on students being successful. Apollo-Ridge is fortunate to have such an exceptional leader. Check out the interview with Mark at http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/webcasts/1434