Dr. Robert Roelle, who will leave as principal of Pelham Middle School when the school year ends,  said “Pelham will always have a special place in my heart.”

“The people are the best,” he said.

Roelle is heading to the Pearl River School District to become assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. He worked in the Pelham School District for 12 years, including as principal at Prospect Hill School, then in the same role at PMS.

He said one of the achievements he was proud of was implementing the International Baccalaureate or IB program at PMS.

He first became principal at Prospect when former Superintendent Dennis Lauro “called me into his office and told to he wanted me to consider being principal of Prospect Hill.”

Roelle, who has worked at PMS for six years, said his favorite thing about the school is “that the kids are wonderful and we have great activities alongside learning.”

In his career, Roelle is continuing in a family tradition. His father was a school superintendent and was a great inspiration to him. “He was an amazing leader,” said Roelle.

Roelle has earned degrees from several colleges, including Millersville University, New York University, Fordham University, Stony Brook University and the New York Institute of Technology.