Reichl a tough act to follow

Replacing an administrator with the popularity among his students like Craig Reichl had at Lehighton Area High School isn't easy.

Reichl recently left Lehighton, for the second time, to become principal at J.T. Lambert Intermediate School in East Stroudsburg School District.

He was the cool principal maybe in part because his social media game was off the charts, a trait critically important in 2017.

Whether it is from his personal Twitter account, or the Lehighton High School handle, he was constantly dropping words of wisdom that were certainly picked up by a majority of the student body.

That same student body returned the favor, sending him off with a flurry of tweets after his future plans became public.

"You have probably been the best principal I have ever had," tweeted Tyler Fisher.

Another tweet, this one from Hannah Schappell, read, "School will not be the same. Please don't go."

My trips to the high school were always pleasant while Reichl was at the helm. He was always quick to give me access to the building whether I was doing a simple Reader's Turn or a more involved feature story.

Sometimes interview subjects just go through the motions, but he beamed with pride when talking about educational initiatives like the honors program with Lehigh Carbon Community College that will allow students to receive an associates degree while earning high school credits.

While Craig will be missed, Lehighton won't miss a beat after naming Suzanne Howland his successor Monday night.

As principal of Franklin and East Penn elementary schools, her buildings were equally accessible and the mood of the staff and students was equally as upbeat.

Sue holds her own when it comes to social media.

If you follow her on Twitter, you'll not only get excellent tidbits from her school's events, but she's also a huge Duke basketball fan, which is what you want in any leader.

Sitting in a Title I parent advisory committee meeting with her last week, I know how passionate she is about the education and opportunities for the students of Lehighton.

After years of becoming a human rainbow during the Color Run and countless pies to the face during Pi Day activities, Howland is ready for the big time.

When Reichl announced he was leaving, a student asked him who would be taking over the position.

"Someone who cares as much about the school as we do," he tweeted in response.

He was right.