Tom Voelker: Leading with vision, community, and heart at Daniel Boone Area School District

In the Daniel Boone Area School District, where the communities of Birdsboro, Amity Township, and Union Township intersect, one individual is working tirelessly to inspire students, engage families, and foster a sense of unity within the district. That person is Tom Voelker, superintendent of the Daniel Boone Area School District. A familiar face in the community, Voelker brings a unique blend of passion, local roots, and a forward-thinking vision to his leadership role—one that is shaping the district and leaving a lasting impact on both the students and the larger community.

For Voelker, returning to Daniel Boone feels like a homecoming. He grew up nearby, attending Wyomissing Area School District before pursuing his college education at Shippensburg University. After starting his teaching career in the Reading School District, Voelker’s journey took him back to Daniel Boone, where he spent years teaching 6th-grade math and science. It was there that he discovered his love for teaching and building connections with students.

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“I absolutely loved it,” Voelker recalls with a smile. “But then I wanted to challenge myself in administration and moved back to Reading before taking a leadership role at Brandywine Heights Area School District. While I loved my time at Brandywine Heights, when the opportunity at Daniel Boone came up, I couldn’t pass it up. This is where I started my educational journey in a meaningful way, and the chance to return felt like the perfect fit.”

Outside of work, Voelker is a family man at heart. Married to his wife, Jennifer, for 20 years, the couple has two daughters, Claire and Allison, who keep him grounded and focused on what truly matters. Music is another passion of his, and he enjoys playing guitar in his downtime, along with engaging in the strategic thinking of chess. But for Voelker, being the best husband and father he can be is always his top priority. “Family is priority number one,” he emphasizes, highlighting the values that shape both his personal life and leadership style.

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Now, Voelker is in his second year as superintendent, leading a district that encompasses 39 square miles and serves a community of over 17,000 people. Despite the challenges, Voelker’s dedication to creating an inclusive, transparent, and positive environment is already transforming the district.

The Call to Education: A Nontraditional Path

Unlike some who find their calling in education early on, Voelker’s path to teaching wasn’t quite so straightforward. Originally, he had plans to join the Marine Corps, but as other opportunities arose, he decided to pursue a different direction that would lead him to the classroom.

“I was undeclared when I started college,” Voelker explains. “I changed my major about five or six times. But I kept finding that I loved helping people. I got involved with tutoring as part of an honors fraternity, and I realized how much I enjoyed those ‘aha moments’ when students understood something they didn’t before. My mom, a lifelong teacher, always said I’d make a good teacher, and it turns out she was right.”

That realization set him on a path that has seen him impact the lives of countless students, first as a teacher, and now, as a superintendent.

When asked about his favorite teaching moments, Voelker fondly recalls the many activities he helped facilitate during his years as a classroom teacher at Daniel Boone. Among them, one annual event stands out: rocket launches.

“Every year, we’d teach elementary-level physics and culminate the unit by building rockets with the students and launching them. Most launched well, some ended up on roofs—it was always a blast,” Voelker laughs. “But looking back, it’s often the smaller moments that stick with me. We did a dodgeball tournament, a rock band competition, and even had lunch with students solving Rubik’s cubes. You never know what will connect with a student, but those connections last a lifetime.”

Building a Culture of Trust and Transparency

One of Voelker’s primary goals as superintendent has been to rebuild trust and communication within the district. Recognizing that transparency is key to building a positive culture, he has focused on creating open lines of communication with both staff and the community.

“When I came back, I felt like the environment of transparency and trust wasn’t quite where it should be,” Voelker shares. “We’ve implemented public, transparent budget workshops and are making sure our communication is forward-facing so the community knows what’s going on. It’s about building that trust and focusing on positive thinking rather than getting bogged down by negativity.”

This approach is not just about administrative tasks; it’s about fostering a culture where students and staff feel supported, heard, and understood.

Like many school leaders across the nation, Voelker is navigating a landscape that reflects broader societal divides. However, he is adamant that the district’s focus remains on what unites the community—ensuring the success of its students.

“Our biggest challenge is finding ways to bring people together,” he says. “We have far more in common than we realize, especially when it comes to wanting the best for our kids. Some misconceptions about what happens in schools can cloud that, so our job is to keep the communication clear and work toward unity.”

A self-professed “data nerd,” Voelker is deeply committed to guiding the district through its newly developed multi-year strategic plan. After spending his first year listening to feedback from the community and staff, Voelker helped identify key areas for growth and improvement.

“A lot of the work we’re doing is back to basics—focusing on instructional practice and building meaningful relationships with students and families,” Voelker explains. “It all starts and ends with those relationships.”

One of the initiatives Voelker is particularly proud of is creating opportunities for students to connect beyond academics. Whether through extracurricular clubs, arts programs, or esports, Voelker’s goal is to ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging within the school community.

The Heart of the Job: Connecting with Students and Staff

For Voelker, personalizing his role as superintendent comes naturally. “The only person I know how to be is me,” he says. “My favorite part of the day is getting out into the buildings, seeing learning in action, laughing with kids, and joking with staff. I’ve found the most success when I identify talent and then get out of the way. It’s about trusting people and letting them do what they’re great at.”

This hands-on, personable approach has helped foster a culture of appreciation and collaboration within the district—a culture that Voelker hopes will continue to grow.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Daniel Boone

Voelker’s optimism about the district’s future is contagious. He is energized by the momentum that the Daniel Boone Area School District has built over the past year, and he sees even greater things on the horizon.

“I’m excited about the path we’re on for the next five years,” he says. “We’re becoming the district we all know we can be. Our staff, students, and community are on board, and I can’t wait to see where we go.”

In a district that serves a population as diverse and dynamic as Daniel Boone’s, Tom Voelker’s leadership is proving to be a beacon of positive change, one built on trust, community, and a deep commitment to the success of every student.

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Jason Hugg
Jason Hugghttps://berksweekly.com
Editor and photographer at Berks Weekly.
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