Kuhse named new assistant principal at Thomas Jefferson High School

The West Jefferson Hills School Board of Directors selected Erikka Kuhse as the new assistant principal of Thomas Jefferson High School to replace Paul Ware upon his retirement with a unanimous vote at the Jan. 26 school board meeting.

According to a release, Kuhse is the current dean of students and a physics teacher at the high school. An exact start date has yet to be determined, but she is expected to begin her new role as assistant principal as soon as a new physics teacher is on board.

“We are pleased to have Erikka in this new leadership role where she can build upon her strong relationships with our students to have an immediate impact on student success,” said TJHS principal Pete Murphy.

Kuhse is a 2008 graduate of Altoona Area High School. After graduating Clarion University in 2013 with a degree in secondary education coupled with a concentration in physics and a mathematics minor, she began her teaching career at James River High School in Chesterfield County, Va. While teaching in Virginia, she earned her master’s degree in K-12 supervision and administration from Liberty University in 2016. Kuhse returned to the Pittsburgh area in 2017 and joined the West Jefferson Hills School District teaching physics at Thomas Jefferson High School.

She served as the National Honor Society Adviser from 2017-2020 as well as the dean of students in a part-time capacity in addition to her teaching duties. Kuhse currently resides in West Mifflin with her husband and four dogs.

“I am honored to join the administrative team at TJ and look forward to continuing to grow and support our students, families, and staff,” she said.