Call him the guitar-playing principal

As new principal of H.O. Brittingham, Ned Gladfelter brings decades of music experience to his position. Of course, he has the required degrees, years of teaching and administrative experience.

But music got him to where he is today.

“I've always had success reaching out to people. Music is another thing that brings people together,” he said.

Growing up in central Pennsylvania, Gladfelter played clarinet and saxophone through high school. He continued playing at Mansfield University where he majored in music therapy and music education. He earned a master's degree in music therapy from Western Michigan University. Nowadays, he prefers guitar or playing keyboard – instruments more conducive for group sing-alongs, he said.

With his music degrees in hand, he landed a job at the Pilot School in north Wilmington as a music therapist. He spent 20 years teaching special needs students, using music to reach them emotionally and educationally. “I've always worked with special needs populations. That's why I think I'm a good fit for Title I schools,” he said.

With a large percentage of low-income students, HOB qualifies for federal funding under Title I to improve academics for disadvantaged students. In 2015-16, there were about 57 percent low-income students in HOB – the highest percentage in Cape school district. New attendance boundaries in 2017-18 will bring the number to about 40 percent.

While working the the Pilot School Gladfelter earned another master's degree, this time in administration from Wilmington University. He then spent nine years in the Brandywine School District working in three K-5 elementaries: Mt. Pleasant, Lancashire and Claymont.

He said HOB is similar to Claymont because both schools have diverse student populations. When he left, he said, Claymont's population was 840 and growing by 100 students a year.

“It was crazy,” he said. “It's very competitive up there. We really had to promote our schools.”

With a large Hispanic population, Claymont instituted a Spanish immersion program during Gladfelter's tenure. “That's my passion,” he said.

And it shows when he talks about learning the language. Gladfelter enthusiastically talks about studying in Central America and his recent visit in Puerto Rico, where the best part was talking to average residents outside of a coordinated tour. He moves quickly in his office, whether looking up facts on his computer or reviewing paperwork .

He has been busy meeting his staff and is anxious to meet parents. He estimates his Spanish speaking skills are at about 75 percent and looks forward to speaking with Hispanic parents.

“There's a lot of people I can speak with here,” he said.

Already, he has reached out to communities through the bookmobile, a Milton movie night and Milton Night Out.

He said he also looks forward to a Milton Mingle when staffs at Milton and HOB come together for a get-together.

Both Gladfelter and new Milton Elementary Principal Beth Conaway say they are committed to working together as much as possible. The schools will eventually share the same property while Milton Elementary undergoes renovations.

“We'll all be together for a year or two, so we want to do anything we can do to develop the community,” he said.

Gladfelter moved to Lewes with his wife of 23 years, Wendy, and their youngest son Luke, who will be a freshman at Cape High. Their oldest son, Jake, will be a freshman at University of Rhode Island in the fall.

Moving to the beach was always a dream for them; now he looks forward to working with a new school community, Gladfelter said.

“My style is collaborative and listening, and then I decide where to go from there,” he said.