As a member of several organizations including Our Town Foundation, Berks County United Way, Berks Business and Education Coalition, and Ready Set Read, Mr. Steven Keifer is a busy member of the Hamburg community. For the past eight years, his most notable role has been the Superintendent of Hamburg Area School District.
As he prepares to embrace retirement in June, he said, “I’m going to miss the people the most. We have a great staff, we have great kids, and we are very fortunate to have such supportive families.”
Mr. Keifer began his career in education by teaching math and computer science at the middle school and high school levels. He then moved on to become a middle school principal and Assistant Superintendent before becoming the Superintendent at Danville Area School District. In 2007, he relocated to Hamburg Area School District.
He said that of all the changes to the district he has overseen, one of biggest was the incorporation of new facilities. In addition to the construction of a new stadium in 2009, two new elementary schools were built under his supervision.
But the most impactful, he said, has been the incorporation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, education.
“In eight years, the use of technology has exploded.”
In addition to new teaching techniques, such as Promethean boards in every classroom, there are iPads in use at the elementary schools and the 1:1 laptop program has been in place in the high school since 2011.
On a typical work day, Mr. Keifer attends meetings and visits schools to see teachers and students.
During the winter, he said, “I’m up around 4 in the morning to make decisions regarding weather forecasts.”
In his 50-60 hour work week, “there’s always something going on.”
One of the most difficult aspects of being a Superintendent, he said, is handling student affairs. From handling student crises, such as the death of a student, to extinguishing Chemistry lab fires, his focus was always geared toward the students.
Despite this, a career in education provides a great deal of accomplishment. Mr. Keifer’s biggest achievement was being nominated for Teacher of the Year in 1989 by two students, who went on to become doctors, and a principal. Seeing the impact he has on students outside of the classroom is “what education is all about.”
The first thing Mr. Keifer plans to do in retirement is to take rare vacation time.
“I’m going to force myself to take time off,” he said.
Though he will no longer work within the Hamburg Area School District, he will stay in Berks County and continue to be an active community member.
“Hamburg is a hidden jewel,” he said. “We’re a good school district, and we have all components in place to be outstanding. I feel very fortunate to have been the superintendent of this school.”