Joyful Principalship

With over a decade of principal leadership, Amy Balsbaugh joined the team at John R. Bonfield Elementary School in the Warwick School District as Principal in 2018. Before this, she served as the Principal of East High Street Elementary in the Elizabethtown Area School District for four and a half years.  She began her career in the Warwick School District as an elementary music teacher.

Balsbaugh’s educational background includes a bachelor of science degree from Penn State University where she was a Schreyer Honors Scholar, and a master of music education degree from West Chester University with a focus on the Orff-Schulwerk approach which incorporates literature and language into teaching music. She received her principal certification from Penn State University. She completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration through Point Park University in 2024.

Balsbaugh’s dissertation research focused on principal job satisfaction and well-being in relation to the job demands experienced, exploring what principals who maintain high levels of joy coupled with high levels of demand do differently. This research has fueled her to work to empower, equip, and support practicing principals in finding joy in personal and professional lives as well as well-being while also advocating for attention and resources to support the well-being of school leaders. From personal life experiences and driven by research, Balsbaugh desires to help principals improve their life experiences.

Balsbaugh is a member of the National and PA Associations for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the National and PA Associations of Elementary School Principals. She is also a member of the International Literacy Association.

Dr. Balsbaugh lives in Lititz, PA with her husband, an elementary assistant principal, and their two elementary-aged children.