The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Kohler: Pizza with Norristown’s Principal Ed Roth
WEST NORRITON » It’s a Friday in June and I’m having pizza with the principal.
I never boasted perfect attendance or held a flawless GPA which usually warrants an end of the year meal with the principal. Heck, I’m not even in high school. But things are much different today than when I graduated high school.
My first contact with Ed Roth, who was named the new principal of Norristown Area High School in August 2017, came via a Twitter interaction.
During the voting period in March for Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s hotly contested, “Montco’s Best Pizza Tournament” he replied to my tweet about it with: Is there a #MontcoPizza better than @PicasPizza? Still learning my way
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around #MontcoPa but the best pizza in #Delco is hard to beat. I know @tinafeylaughs and @ChiefMChitwood would agree! Let me know #Norristown!
I had yet to meet Roth in person but I had to give the principal props for engagement on social media, proper use of hash tags, and calling out local and major celebrities.
I replied: As principal of NAHS you HAVE to try Via Veneto and Charlie’s Pizza. I’m thinking a column on “Schooling the new guy on local pizza.” Let’s make time to grab a slice at each, talk your first year at the high school and #MontcoPizza. #ilovepicastoo
It took a while due to our schedules, but we were finally able to connect for lunch at Via Veneto.
I mentioned the lunch was the result of a tweet, an interaction that was not-yet invented when I graduated in Norristown High School in 1999. Roth admitted that he wasn’t taught about social media during his Master’s program but it’s part of his daily life as principal.
“There are positives. Social media helps us share information and gives an opportunity to have fun and connect to a personal side,” said Roth. However, obviously there is the ugly side of social media “That’s every school in America. I wish the focus and algorithms were on finding the kids who were saying hateful things or reaching out for help.”
Roth (@NahsPrincipal ) says most of his time on social media has been a positive experience interacting with students, alumni, and members of the community. But students who tweet at Roth to close school in the event of inclement weather are barking up the wrong Twitter handle – “that’s the superintendent’s call,” he says.
Roth and I shifted our focus to pizza after placing our order for a slice of Sicilian pizza.
As a Norristown native, I grew up eating Via Veneto or Charlie’s pizza on Friday nights. Roth, who hails from Collingdale, of course feels similar local pride and thinks the “Delco style” pizza, is the best with Coco’s (various Delco locations) as his personal favorite. His children prefer Pinocchio’s (Media) since they get a ball of dough to play with.
From working in Delaware County for a few years I agree that the pizza is good in a different way. Pica’s is Tina Fey’s favorite, and there are times that I still crave its unique taste.
Roth and I both enjoyed our slice of Sicilian during our visit. He loves Sicilian pizza, enjoys a solid amount of sauce, and lists sausage as his favorite topping.
Anything is better than the pizza I remember at the high school, I counter.
“It’s actually pretty good now,” Roth said. “I just ate a slice of Hawaiian on Monday.”
Wrapping up his first school year on Eagle Drive, Roth said he was immediately blown away by the passion of the people of Nor- ristown. During one of his first weeks on the job, As- sistant Principal E.J. Smith brought him around town to give him a tour of Norristown staples. At the time, NASDtv, recently aired an interview with Roth, introducing him as the new principal. A number of people approached him to mention they had seen the interview and welcomed him to Norristown.
“I was just blown away. It showed me how much people care about Norristown and the school,” said Roth.
One of the places Smith took Roth was Eve’s Lunch. It was Roth’s first experience with Norristown’s famous sandwich, the zep, and he has since returned.
The passion isn’t just about food.
“People are passionate about sports. Norristown has a proud athletic legacy. It was great watching gym fill up during basketball season. It’s not just sports. People come out for Mr. Norristown, choir, and other things. They want a reason to celebrate Norristown,” commented Roth.
Despite not being “Head of the Class” or a star athlete, my time at the high school played a major role shaping my values and I still have a deep affection for blue and white. I want Roth to succeed in this role whether he does it by tweet or thesis.
I ask for a commencement speech on his first year as principal, and he immediately mentions the thirteen students in the senior class who are going to college tuition-free with full scholarships, and the millions of dollars the class has earned in scholarships.
“It’s not just about college…it’s also about skills. You can’t have kids read every great American novel. But they can leave with an interest in reading and a fascination with history. Then they can go to college and be lifelong readers and lifelong learners. That’s what I think we are doing a good job as a school and keep getting better at.” Katie Kohler is an awardwinning columnist and journalist. She is a Norristown native and a current resident of King of Prussia. Visit her at www. katiekohler.com. Email kkohler1129@gmail.com