Dr. Jeffrey S. Fecher
Principal

Dr. Fecher became the principal of ASHS in July, 2008.  Dr. Fecher’s first position in Abington School District began in July, 2007 as Principal-Elect of Willow Hill Elementary.  Prior to his arrival in Abington, he worked at J.P. Case Middle School in Flemington, NJ where he served as an Assistant Principal since 2002.  Prior to his position in Flemington, Dr. Fecher taught English at Bordentown High School and held an administrative internship at Bordentown High School.  Dr. Fecher received his Bachelors of Arts Degrees in English Literature and English Education from La Salle University and his Masters of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from Rider University where he was the recipient of the Robert Foose Award in Educational Leadership.  Dr. Fecher earned his Doctorate in Educational and Organizational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.    His published dissertation is entitled Gendered Educational Leadership: Perceptions, Power, and Paths.

In 1995, Dr. Fecher completed a semester abroad program at Oxford University, England where he focused his studies on British Literature.  In 2005, Dr. Fecher participated in a study abroad partnership with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Auckland, New Zealand where he observed and visited various schools focusing on Formative Assessment and Reading Recovery programs.

Dr. Fecher actively presents and participates in professional development opportunities.  Recently, he has attended the Principals’ Center for Educational Leadership at Princeton University and Kagan Cooperative Learning for Administrators.  He has presented nationally on the subject of technology supporting Language Arts curricula.  Dr. Fecher has attended many sessions at the Delaware Valley Minority Student Achievement Consortium in order to contribute to social awareness and development at ASHS.  Dr. Fecher recently attended the Chinese Bridge Delegation in China, in an effort to assist in the development of the Mandarin Chinese World Language program at Abington School District.  He has also participated as a consultant for the University of Pennsylvania in Nicaragua while attending a conference on Latin American Education.

Dr. Fecher comes to Abington Senior High School, “Pleased to be part of maroon and white tradition striving for academic excellence while enjoying the spirit of ongoing activity.”   Dr. Fecher is excited to join the Abington family while maintaining commitment to his own family, his wife Michele, daughter Mikayla Skye, and son Jeffrey Jr.  His hobbies include: creative writing, reading, golfing, biking, ornithology, fishing, gardening, and playing sports.

Rodd McCuen, M. Ed.
Associate Principal

Mr. McCuen came to Abington High School as the Supervisor of Athletics in 1986.  He served in that capacity until the 1993-94 school years at which time he was appointed to the position of Assistant Principal.  During the 2007-2008 school year Mr. McCuen was named Associate Principal of the Senior High School.  

Mr. McCuen received his Bachelors of Science Degree from Ursinus College where he was a four year varsity athlete and co-captain of the then record setting soccer team.  He then coached at Ursinus College as an assistant to the head soccer coach for two years.  Mr. McCuen spent seven years at Open Door Christian Academy as a teacher, coach, Athletic Director, Development Director and middle school disciplinarian.  He also coached soccer and softball at Upper Dublin High School.

Mr. McCuen received his Masters of Education Degree from Temple University during which time he served as an intern with the Philadelphia Eagles Football Club.  Mr. McCuen completed his administrative course work while enrolled in a doctoral program at Temple University. Mr. McCuen recently completed coursework offered through the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) program that is run in cooperation with the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL). 

Mr. McCuen has three adult children and has been married to his wife Joyce for thirty-one years. Mr. McCuen’s family continues to grow. Marriages and grandchildren are now an exciting new part of family life. Mr. McCuen’s hobbies include anything athletic, gardening, travel, snorkeling and the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

Mr. Ernest Johnson
Assistant Principal

Mr. Ernest Johnson entered the Abington School District in August 1998 as a school counselor at Abington Senior High School.  Mr. Johnson was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA.  He earned his high school diploma from Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy.  Mr. Johnson then completed his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Moravian College, Class of 1996.  After Moravian, he earned his Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Temple University, 1998.  While earning his Master’s degree at Temple, Mr. Johnson was funded through a Graduate Assistantship for the Center for Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse. 

After serving as a school counselor for six years, Mr. Johnson was promoted to Guidance Chairperson.  While functioning in this capacity, Mr. Johnson and the counselors initiated a year-long mentoring program at Willow Hill Elementary School.  After 3 ¼ years as Guidance Chair, Mr. Johnson was board approved and promoted to the position of Assistant Principal (November, 2007).  Mr. Johnson completed his K-12 Principal Certification in the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Program at Temple University, 2007.

Mr. Johnson has a wife, Margaret, and one child.  He was raised by his grandparents, Ruby and Odell.  He has two brothers and two sisters.  His one brother, Reg, is also an educator and teaches at Cheltenham HS.  He values spending time with his family and living a peaceful existence.  

Mr. Joseph Tagliaferro
Coordinator of Student Support Services 

Mr. Joseph Tagliaferro joined the Abington Senior High School professional community in September, 2000.  For nine years, Mr. Tagliaferro functioned in the capacity of Guidance Counselor.  Mr. Tagliaferro brought an affinity for student success to his daily duties, especially for students with disabilities and first-generation, college-bound students.  Outside of his Guidance duties, Mr. Tagliaferro, under the direction of Mr. Ernest Johnson, established a full-year Mentoring Partnership Program with both Willow Hill and Overlook Elementary Schools.  After the 9/11 tragedy, Mr. Tagliaferro helped students establish an American Red Cross Blood Drive to supplement the annual ASHS spring drive.  Mr. Tagliaferro has been recognized by the American Red Cross and the Coca-Cola Scholars Program for his commitment to student success, and recently presented at the 2009 Naviance Summer Institute.

Mr. Tagliaferro completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Joseph’s University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1995.  Mr. Tagliaferro received a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary School Counseling from the University of Scranton in 1997.  Mr. Tagliaferro is certified as a Secondary School Counselor and Supervisor of School Guidance Services by the state of Pennsylvania.  Mr. Tagliaferro has served a number of social service agencies throughout his professional career, fulfilling duties as a group home supervisor, social worker and mobile therapist prior to his entry into the Abington School District.

Mr. Bradley Palmer
Science Department Chair
 
Mr. Palmer came to Abington in 2000 from a teaching position at LaSalle College High School. He served as a chemistry teacher for five years before being selected to serve as department chair of science. Mr. Palmer attended Penn State University, but received a B.S. in Science Education form Temple University in 1995. He later earned a M.S. in Science Education from Temple in 2000. In addition, Mr. Palmer received Supervisor of Science certification from Arcadia University in 2004. Mr. Palmer is a member of NSTA and has a great deal of interest in science literacy and in the use of inquiry in science education. He currently teaches College Prep and Advanced Placement Chemistry.

Mr. James Rizzuto
Mathematics Department Chair

Mr. Rizzuto joined Abington in 1993.  He came to the Philadelphia area as a Graduate Assistant at Villanova University.  While at Villanova, he assisted in teaching calculus and linear algebra classes.  He earned an MA in Mathematics at Villanova in 1993.  Mr. Rizzuto did his undergraduate work at Shippensburg University.  Before coming to Abington, Mr. Rizzuto taught Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 at Widener University. 

Mr. Rizzuto first taught AP Calculus in 1994 and is a strong proponent of the Advanced Placement program.  He has served as an AP Reader for Calculus and attended regional CollegeBoard AP conferences.  Mr. Rizzuto has been involved with ATMOPAV, PCTM and NCTM professional mathematics teaching organizations.  He was a presenter at the PCTM state conference in 2008. 
 

During his time at Abington, Mr. Rizzuto has taught most of the math course offerings and been involved in many areas of school life.  He feels fortunate to work with such outstanding students and teaching professionals at Abington Senior High School.  Mr. Rizzuto is proud to work in a school that offers the highest caliber of academic opportunities for all of its students. 

Mrs. Mary Eileen Kirchner

Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction

Mrs. Kirchner became the Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for ASD in July 2011.  Her primary responsibilities are to supervise the World Language and ESL (English as a Second Language) Departments throughout the district.  Prior to her arrival at Abington, she was the Director of the Minority Achievement Program and World Language Department Chair at Lower Merion School District and also taught Spanish and French in Lower Merion School District for 17 years.

Mrs. Kirchner received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Secondary Education at Immaculata College and then her Master’s Degree at Millersville University in Spanish.  She completed her Principal and Supervisor of World language certifications at Immaculata University and her Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction at Widener University.  She is currently enrolled in the doctoral program for School Systems Leadership at Widener University.

Mrs. Kirchner is active in professional development opportunities both as a presenter and as a participant.  Her presentations include presentations on technology use in World Language at PETE&C, Hatboro-Horsham, and ACTFL, minority achievement at DVMSAC, ACTFL, and College Board and on language instruction at ACTFL, MCATFL, and NECTFL.  She attended the TESOL conference and the CCIU ESL Symposium in 2012.

Mrs. Kirchner loves working at Abington.  Her philosophy of languages for all reflects the importance that Abington School District places on language study.  She would love to see 100% enrollment in languages and she knows that the committed staff members are ready and willing to make that happen.