BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A former Liberty High School principal and city schools administrator will become the next principal of Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Dean M. Donaher has been appointed principal effective July 17, the school announced Friday.
- Dean Donaher is Bethlehem Catholic's new principal
- He's a retired educator, principal and administrator from the Bethlehem Area School District
- He takes over starting July 17
He was recommended by the school’s board of directors and approved by Diocese of Allentown Bishop Alfred Schlert, Vicar General Msgr. David L. James and Chancellor Father Keith A. Mathur, according to a news release.
Donaher retired from the Bethlehem Area School District in 2015 as director of student services after a 30-year career. He also served as an assistant principal at Freedom High School and Liberty High and was Liberty’s principal before joining the administrative ranks.
Donaher also served as a member of the Bethlehem Area School Board and in 2018 ran unsuccessfully for the state House as a Democrat.
He is a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus and a member of the Holy Infancy parish in Bethlehem, where he serves on the parish council, according to the release.
The new school year begins Aug. 28. Donaher takes over for Luke Wilde, who was named principal last July and resigned in April to take another job.
Donaher received bachelor’s degrees in history and mathematics from Moravian University. He earned his master’s in education from Lehigh University and a doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
He holds both Pennsylvania teacher’s and principal’s certificates, according to the school.
