by Geoff Fox
When classes began at Hancock Middle-Senior High School on August 25, there were a few new faces around the school. One of those was in the principal’s office, that of Andrew Kaetzel.
Kaetzel took over the principal role on July 1 after Jennifer Ruppenthal retired following the 2025-2026 school year.
Kaetzel began his teaching career 18 year ago in the classroom, teaching third grade, fifth grade, middle school special education, and physical education, which gave him the opportunity to work with students at different ages and with different needs.
He said they “really shaped my philosophy as an educator.”
Kaetzel spent two years as assistant principal at Springfield Middle School before becoming a principal. This will be his eighth year as a principal.
Coming into the school year at Hancock, Kaetzel said his biggest goals were to build relationships, establish trust, support the teachers and staff, and make sure Hancock students know Hancock Middle-Senior High School is a place where they belong and can succeed.
“After being here for the first month, those goals really haven’t changed,” he said. “If anything, they have become more important.”
What has changed, he said, is he’d had a much better understanding of the strengths of the school and opportunities in front of them.
Kaetzel said he’s spent a lot of time in his first month on the job listening and talking with students, teachers, staff, parents, and members of the community.
“You learn a lot by simply being present and listening to people,” he said. “I’ve seen a tremendous amount of pride in this school, and I want to build on that.”
Submitted picture.
He added his goal for this school year is not to come in and change everything overnight. It’s to learn, build relationships, identify what the school does well, and then work together to make Hancock Middle-Senior High School even better.
Kaetzel said in the long term, he wants Hancock Middle-Senior High School to be a school that people are excited to be part of- students, families, staff, and the broader community.
“I want us to provide students with a wide range of opportunities to discover their interests and prepare for whatever comes next, whether that is college, a career, the military, technical education, entrepreneurship, or another path,” he said.
He also said he sees a lot of potential in developing programs that take advantage of Hancock’s location and the community’s connection to the outdoors.
The school has already had a very positive response from adding the JROTC program, Kaetzel said.
“I believe we can identify more opportunities for students to pursue a pathway that ties their current interests into their future pursuits after graduation,” he said.
Ultimately, Kaetzel said he wants the school to become known for giving students meaningful experiences and opportunities they may not find anywhere else and wants students to graduate from Hancock feeling prepared, confident, and proud of where they went to school.
As for the students taking to him, Kaetzel things they have and it has “probably been one of the most enjoyable parts of the first month.”
He’s made it a point to of being visible in the hallways, classrooms, cafeteria, and school activities, wanting students to see him as a principal who is approachable and who is interested in them as people, not just as students.
“You have to earn students’ trust, and that doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “I’m still getting to know them, and they’re still getting to know me.”
There’s been a lot of positive interactions already with the students and Kaetzel said he’s really enjoyed getting to know their personalities, interests, and sense of humor.
While he wants students to understand he’s approachable, it doesn’t mean there won’t be exceptions as he believes strongly in having high expectations while making sure students know he and staff are there to support them in meeting those expectations.
The first month has also been busy, exciting, and a lot of fun for Kaetzel.
“There is a lot to learn when you step into a new school, and I’ve been trying to take everything in learning about the people, the routines, the history of the school, and the community,” he said.
The biggest thing he’s noticed is how much people care about the school and there is a real sense of community there.
The staff cares deeply about their students, he said, and students have a lot of potential, and there are people throughout the community who want to see Hancock Middle-Senior High School succeed.
“I’m grateful for the welcome I’ve received during my first month,” Kaetzel said. “I know there will be challenges, because every school has them, but I’m excited about what we can accomplish together.”
Kaetzel is a product of Washington County Public Schools having attended school in Boonsboro and continuing his education at Hagerstown Community College and then onto Shepherd University and Ball State University.
He lives in Oldtown with his wife of 17 years, Jackie, and their seven children.
When he’s not at school, one of the biggest parts of who Kaetzel is his love for the outdoors.
“Hunting, fishing, and spending time outside with my family are things that are very important to me,” he said.
Kaetzel said he thinks that connection to the outdoors also influences the way he looks at education.
“I believe students learn a lot when they have opportunities to get outside the classroom, experience things firsthand, and connect what they are learning to the real world,” he added.
Kaetzel said coming to Hancock feels like a homecoming in some ways as he grew up in the area, went through county schools, and spent his career serving students.
“Being able to lead a school in this community is something I’m very excited about,” he said.
