When you walk into Bernadette Reichle's office at the E.J. Russell Smith Elementary School, all of the nasty associations you have from your youth about the "principal's office" melt away and, instead of an imposing place where parents are called and kids are scolded, you find a blizzard of paperwork and a warm, friendly smile that offers both wisdom and reassurance.

"Bunnie" Reichle, as she prefers to be known, has worked in education for 34 years. She has spent the last 22 within the Pine Bush school district, first as a music teacher, and the last 16 as the principal of E.J. Russell. Later this year, on July 15 to be precise, Bunnie Reichle will be retiring from her position to pursue a list of activities that makes you wonder whether she'll be busier after she leaves her job.

Bunnie will be finishing work just in time for her to head to the Orange County Fairgrounds to assist with the set up and judging of the local 4-H Club, just one of the many organizations Reichle is passionate about. When asked about the sudden transition after leaving the school on her last day of work, Reichle becomes emotional and speaks in a quiet voice.

"It will probably be a good idea to keep me busy that day. And I am sure I will be."

But the list just starts there. After she "retires," Bunnie says that she will return to her studies with Seton Hall University where she has been pursuing her doctorate in education and only has her dissertation to finish, which will focus on school improvement initiatives. She hopes to complete her work over the summer and autumn and defend in front of her committee by December. The achievement of the doctorate may result in Reichle exploring a possible faculty position at a college or university.

In addition to advancing her career, she will also continue her role as choral director for the First Reformed Church of Walden, as well as her volunteer efforts at the Valley Central School District, where her two sons went to school. Reichle will also be helping a local Orange County organization in its efforts to pursue grant funding.

Reichle has three sisters and a mother who live upstate, whom she intends to visit now that she will have more time to see them. And as for her personal pleasures, Reichle says she is looking forward to riding her bike, another activity that her hectic schedule hasn't allowed.

At a recent meeting of the Pine Bush School Board, Reichle was in attendance when a parent stood up after being informed of her intent to retire and asked that the board publicly thank Reichle for her years of work in the district. Bunnie Reichle received a loud and long round of applause for her service and it seems very likely that she will remain a vital part of any community effort that she will lend herself to after she leaves E.J. Russell.

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About the staff from E.J. Russell, Reichle has nothing but praise for her colleagues.

"The staff here is just an incredible group of people."

About what she will miss the most when she leaves the school, Reichle chokes up for a moment and says that it will be the kids.

"I will miss the kids the most. I won't miss the friends. The real friendships don't go away. I'll see them after I leave here. But I will miss the kids."

Commenting on the changes she has seen in children over her years in education, Reichle says that she sees children facing a more difficult time growing up than in years past.

"Kids have a tough time of it these days. Kids are being forced to live under certain circumstances that you wouldn't believe. Kids are beginning to grow up so quickly."

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