The job of a superintendent is to firstly, “improve learning for all kids” and secondly, “solve interesting problems,” according to Hamburg Area School District Superintendent Richard Mextorf.
After 40 years in education — 12 years as a music teacher, six years as a principal and 22 total years as a superintendent — Mextorf plans to retire on June 30. The same day, he and his wife are welcoming another grandchild to the family.
Nine of those 22 years, Mextorf spent with the Hamburg Area School District, and “to end here has been the blessing of (a) lifetime.”
Previously, he worked for seven years at Loyalsack, 1½ years at State Township, and four years at Grove City. Mextorf was very happy in Grove City, even thinking he would retire there, but he lived so far away from his children and grandchildren. After hearing about the position open in Hamburg, he interviewed and swiftly took the job, now closer to his family.
Upon retiring, family will be his priority and to make up for all the time he missed out on spending with them.
In his years as superintendent of Hamburg, he was “never off the clock,” and constantly thinking and working toward change. Change in schools is a long and hard process, but Mextorf had his mind set on giving kids choices and customizing the learning process.
In his mind, “Everybody has skills, gifts, interests, abilities” and they should all be explored. Students should improve what they are good at and become great, while students should also nourish their interests and allow them to become passions.
He believes that students should feel comfortable in their environment, as well as teachers. This is one of the reasons the Hamburg Area High School has flexible seating with sofas, yoga balls, stools, and more.
Mextorf looks at schools as not only a place for standard education to be tested but also a place for students to become amazing people, and learn respect, empathy, compassion, and responsibility.
One of the things he loves about Hamburg is the fact that the district hosts so many student events. Mextorf enjoys interacting with students. He has performed on the guitar at the high school’s Java Jams and had students ask to perform with him before. Some students still call him the “magic milkman” due to the odd way he used to open their milk cartons in elementary school.
These opportunities to interact and share memorable experiences with students are one of the many reasons Mextorf enjoys his job, he said.
In addition, Mextorf has done quite a bit for the music department. High school choir teacher Sara Jackson recalls that he led a barbershop quartet from 2016 to 2019. In the 2020-21 school year, in a time of need, Mextorf stepped up and co-directed the musical “Annie” with Jackson.
“(Mextorf) is really really passionate about the arts,” said Jackson.
In fact he even wrote a rationale called “Why We Need the Arts Now More than Ever.” A quote from this rationale is used in all of the Hamburg concert programs, as well as a mention that Mextorf is an honorary member of Tri-M, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, with specialties in voice and trumpet.
Moving forward, Mextorf hopes that the Hamburg Area School District continues with the customization model of education and continues to improve the school lives of students.
Story by Hamburg senior LeeAnn Mills.
Source: Berkshire mont
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