At a special Board of Education meeting held on Monday, April 7, the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District officially approved the hiring of Patrick Carpenter as the next principal of Gurney Elementary School.
Mr. Carpenter brings with him more than a decade of experience in elementary education, including six years of service as principal of Noble Elementary School in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District. His leadership experience also includes working as a ReadOhio Literacy Coach with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, where he supported schools statewide in implementing evidence-based reading instruction.
Mr. Carpenter began his career in Boston, Massachusetts, teaching second grade while completing postgraduate studies at Boston College. Upon returning to Northeast Ohio, he continued his educational work as a third-grade teacher and building reading specialist in Cleveland Heights-University Heights, further deepening his dedication to literacy and student success.
"Patrick Carpenter’s deep belief in child-centered learning and literacy-rich environments aligns beautifully with the values of Gurney Elementary and the Chagrin Falls Schools," said Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Penczarski. "We are excited to welcome him to our team and confident that his leadership will continue to strengthen the student experience at Gurney."
Mr. Carpenter shared his enthusiasm for the role, stating, "It is a privilege to join the Gurney community and help carry forward its strong traditions. I look forward to partnering with students, staff, families, and the greater community to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences for all children."
Mr. Carpenter holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College, an Administrative Licensure from Cleveland State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from John Carroll University.
He will officially begin his tenure as Gurney Elementary Principal August 1, 2025.