OLMSTED FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES NEW PRINCIPAL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Dora Bechtel Brings Administrative and Classroom Experience along with Extensive Literacy and Early Childhood Expertise

Olmsted Falls, OH - June 14, 2019 - The Olmsted Falls Board of Education is pleased to officially announce the hiring of a new principal for the Olmsted Falls Early Childhood Center.  The Board voted unanimously to approve Mrs. Dora Bechtel as the new principal of the Olmsted Falls Early Childhood Center, which serves more than 300 students in preschool and kindergarten.  Mrs. Bechtel officially begins her position as the Olmsted Falls Early Childhood Principal on August 1, 2019, prior to the start of the new school year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Bechtel to our school district,” said Dr. Jim Lloyd, Superintendent of Olmsted Falls City Schools.  “Her extensive background of both administrative and classroom experience, as well as her expertise in literacy development, make her an excellent fit to lead our Early Childhood Center.”

An educator with more than 18 years of experience, Mrs. Bechtel has served as an instructional leader, a classroom teacher (in grades Pre-K, K, 1, 2 and 3) and a building administrator.  Mrs. Bechtel obtained the level of Master Teacher from the Ohio Department of Education. She has received numerous teaching awards, including the Excellence in Teaching Award for demonstrating instructional expertise, creativity and innovation in the classroom.  Mrs. Bechtel has also served as an Adjunct Instructor at Cleveland State University in the Department of Teacher Education. Most recently, Mrs. Bechtel served as the principal of James A. Garfield School in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

“I am excited to be joining Olmsted Falls City Schools in such a centralized capacity.  Early childhood education is where my passion lies because it plays such a pivotal role in overall learning - it’s important to get off to a good start on one’s educational journey,” said Mrs. Dora Bechtel.  “I look forward to working with the staff, families, and youngest students of Olmsted Falls.”

Mrs. Bechtel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction, including a Reading Specialist Endorsement, from Cleveland State University. She also earned her Principal Licensure from Cleveland State University.  Mrs. Bechtel is a literacy specialist with extensive experience in the implementation of the readers and writers workshop as well as project-based learning.

“Mrs. Bechtel’s leadership, experience and specialized skill set will be an outstanding asset to our Early Childhood Center, as well as to our district as a whole,” added Dr. Lloyd.

A special “Popsicles on the Playground” Meet and Greet event with Mrs. Bechtel will be scheduled for August, ahead of the official start of school.  All families of students attending the Early Childhood Center this coming school year will be invited.

Mrs. Bechtel replaces retiring ECC principal Ms. Melinda Falconi, who has been with the Olmsted Falls City School District as the principal of the Early Childhood Center for the past eight years.

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Media Contact:

Kim Petrina

Director of Communications

Olmsted Falls City Schools

(440) 427-6020 / kpetrina@ofcs.net