Three degrees and years of education later, in 2001 Dr. William Carlin found his home within North Penn School District. After ultimately settling down at Pennfield Middle school for a prosperous eighteen years, an opportunity arose and Carlin couldn’t help but jump at it.

Carlin joined the North Penn High Penn High School administrative team this school year as an assistant principal in Home Office F40.

Carlin had a deeply successful career at Pennfield. Through his love of working with middle school students and staff, Carlin always knew he wanted to have an impact as a leader, while still helping students. Although he will miss working with middle school students, Carlin is enthusiastic about what’s to come.

“Pennfield will always have a special place in my heart, and I will never forget all of the connections with the community,” Carlin reflected.

“Right now I’m just kind of learning the ropes from other administrators and enjoying the ride.”

Carlin’s time at Pennfield was not short-lived, and after an eventful career at the middle school, he decided it was time for a change of pace. In the summer of 2021, an opportunity emerged and Carlin just could not turn it down.

“I thought that eighteen years is a long time to be at one place. A couple years ago I had started to think about making a change or wanting to go to the high school, and then this opportunity came in the summer and I jumped at it,” Carlin explained.

For some adults, making the switch between education levels may be a colossal struggle. Between the maturity levels and behavior differences of varying age groups, it makes for a significant adjustment. However, for Carlin, it was a breeze coming from a middle level to high school.

“The biggest difference is the conversations that I would have with a junior, are completely different than the conversations I would have with a 7th grader. It hasn’t been a challenge, but it’s been one of the big differences; the conversational tones and the things that we talk about,” Carlin remarked.

Though there is no challenge for Carlin, he still senses some major differences involving the two schools. With one of them being the drastic size difference between the two buildings, another noticeable discrepancy is the difference in atmospheres, even in the lunchroom. 

“The real deal is when there’s 3000 kids in the school. The size of the school has been an adjustment for me. I’m getting it though,” Carlin emphasized. “I am amazed at the difference when I walk into the cafeteria at the high school, and it’s mixed with sophomores and juniors and seniors. That is completely different than 8th grade lunch duty at Pennfield.”

When asked about his goals for this fresh start, Carlin emphasized his aspirations to get involved in making North Penn High School a more inclusive environment once he is accustomed to the flow of things.

“I definitely want to be a part of our plan for diversity, and making sure that as a leader I am certainly modeling inclusion, tolerance, respect and equality for all kids,” Carlin said.

With the absence of building principal Mr. Pete Nicholson to start the school year, a team approach was necessary to ensure an organized and successful environment for Carlin and the entire high school staff, and the student body. With different jobs and challenges being presented everyday, they are working as a team and doing the most to make sure kids are safe in learning environments. 

“I think it’s all about chipping in and working harder and doing the things we need to do to make this school successful,” Carlin noted. “I would emphasize the teamwork, and having Mr. Nicholson back is going to make the team even stronger. I look forward to working with him.”

Working at the high school may have brought Carlin an amazing opportunity for a new beginning, but the Pennfield family will always have a special place in his heart. 

“I absolutely do miss the Pennfield family. That means all the teachers and staff that I worked with, and the families also. The good part about that is that I get to see them up here, so the kids I knew four or five years ago are now at the high school, so I get to see them again,” Carlin said. 

Throughout his journey with North Penn, Carlin has picked up valuable lessons, experiences, and friendships that will certainly last a lifetime.

“Life is really about adjusting to change and going with the flow… There’s so many opportunities in life, and it’s been a real joy to have this and to be here everyday,” Carlin concluded.