New Troy Principal was LeBron James’ Favorite Teacher

Troy Intermediate School ’s new principal Andrew "Andy" Peltz has an unusual claim to fame: He was LeBron James’ favorite teacher.

“It’s in print, in USA Today,” Peltz says at the end of an interview.

USA Today interviewed James in 2003 when the 6-8 St. Vincent-St. Mary forward was named “Player of the Year.”

"Favorite classes and teachers?", USA Today asked. James answered, "Mr. Peltz for Earth Science and both Mr. Allison and Mrs. Harmon for English are the best. They all make learning fun."

“I taught him as a junior,” Peltz said.

Now LeBron’s favorite teacher has made the move to Avon Lake. He has officially taken the helm as the new principal at Troy Intermediate School and is looking forward to meeting parents and students at next week’s open houses (see dates, times below).

The Olmsted Township resident is coming to the district with plenty of experience.

Last year he was the assistant principal at Revere Middle School in Akron.

“There were few districts I would consider leaving for and Avon Lake was one of them,” Peltz said.

He said Avon Lake is the perfect size.

“It’s large enough to offer flexibility with the kids but not so large the kids are just a number,” he said.

While Revere was a smaller district, he has worked in larger districts also, including North Royalton and St. Vincent-St. Mary.

He is looking forward to Troy Intermediate where students will come together from four Avon Lake elementary schools for fifth and sixth grade.

“The fifth and sixth-grade building is making the pure transition of taking four different elementary school students and making them transition and grow from elementary to middle school,” he said. “The kids can interact with different teachers, make different friends and the principal and guidance counselors have a chance to mold the student.”

Peltz and his wife Staci, an elementary school art  teacher in Westlake have a 7-year-old  daughter Meah  and 4-year-old son Drew.

Meet Peltz at Troy Open Houses

Peltz will be available to meet students and parents at the Aug. 20 and 21 Open Houses.

Open Houses will be held for sixth-graders on Aug. 20 from 4:40 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and for fifth-graders on Aug. 21 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Troy Intermediate.