Q&A with EHS’ new principal Beth Guarriello

Photo+courtesy+of+the+Southern+Lehigh+School+District.

Photo courtesy of the Southern Lehigh School District.

Devon Helmer, Managing Editor

This previously ran in our April 2022 print issue.

In the coming 2022-2023 school year, Emmaus High School will transition to new leadership as Beth Guarriello steps into the position of principal. 

Guarriello was on the agenda at the April 25 school board meeting to allow board members to vote for the approval of her new position. She takes this position after the current principal, Dr. Kate Kieres, announced her resignation in early March. 

Guarriello is currently the principal at Southern Lehigh High School; she has held the position since her return to the school in 2018. In the years prior, she acted as assistant principal from 2014 to 2017 before transferring for a year to principal at Saucon Valley High School, and her ultimate return to Solehi. 

As she moves into her new role at EHS, Guarriello’s top priority is to make the students and staff feel valued and respected as she becomes more familiar with her surroundings and new faces within the hallways. This, she says, will make the school’s population try new things and push one another to be the best version of themselves. 

Stinger: For those unaware, how do students pronounce your last name?

Guarriello: The real Italian pronunciation is GWAREEYELLO, but the American pronunciation is GARY-YELLOW; most students just call me Mrs. G.

Stinger: What aspect of your new job do you most look forward to?

Guarriello: I am a people person, so I am most looking forward to developing relationships with the staff, students, and families. Together, we can accomplish a great deal, so that is very exciting to me. 

Stinger: What aspect of your new job do you think will present the most challenge?

Guarriello: There are new systems and procedures to learn, there are unique aspects of the EHS culture to learn, and, of course, new people to work with. I also am excited about getting to know