BY RACHEL FERRARI
Copy Chief

Not every school can say that its administration includes a Marine and former carpenter, but Baldwin just gained one with new Assistant Principal Michael Wetmiller.

Wetmiller came to Baldwin-Whitehall School District in 2009 and was the principal of Harrison Middle School. This year, he moved to the high school.

“I was originally a high school teacher, and after six years at the middle school, I was ready to make that change,” he said.

As part of the transition, former high school Assistant Principal Jon Peebles has moved to the position of assistant principal at the middle school.

“There’s really been a seamless transition from Mr. Peebles to Mr. Wetmiller, and that’s very important,” Assistant Principal John Saras said.

Saras, who was previously a math teacher, worked with Wetmiller while they were at the middle school.

“He has a lot of strong points. He’s well-versed in social studies curriculum, he works well with students, and he has a solid base for school safety,” Saras said.

“We are very happy to have Mr. Wetmiller join our administrative team at Baldwin High School,” Assistant Principal Heather Hibner said. “He has been very visible throughout the building and brings with him a focus on school safety.”

Wetmiller took a different journey than most to a career in education.

Wetmiller served in the Marine Corps infantry for four years after graduating from Keystone Oaks High School. He then went on to become a carpenter.

“I actually completed my carpenter’s apprenticeship on Saturdays while going to college during the day and working at night,” Wetmiller said.

Wetmiller’s decision to go into education came in 1998, after his son was born, he said.

“I reflected on life and began thinking about a career that would allow me to be there for my family. I liked to help people, I was always good with kids, and I had a love for social studies topics like economics, government, and history,” he said.

He then taught social studies classes at Woodland Hills High School for several years before becoming principal at Harrison.

Though Wetmiller enjoyed his time at the middle school, he feels more suited for the high school and believes that high school students “are naturally more mature,” he said.

“It does take a different mindset to work in middle school. You often have to be more like a parent with middle school kids,” Wetmiller said. “You can still provide guidance and advice (at the high school), but it is at an adult level, and that suits my personality.”