Gregory Fucheck, the principal and founder of Bronx River High School, loved by many, plans to retire in September. During his tenure, his excitement for school often began at 7:30 a.m., when he fist-bumped students as he greeted them coming through scanning. At the end of the day, he heads outside to make sure everyone gets out safe and has a good day.

His reasoning for retiring ties back to his family. Since his wife, who is also a teacher, is retiring in June, he wanted to retire with her so they can enjoy their time together.

During his retirement he wants to enjoy nice weather. “I am most looking forward to going to some place warm in January because I am tired of being cold,” he said.

During his 21 years in the NYC Department of Education, Mr. Fucheck developed a reputation for leadership characterized by transparency, proactivity and a commitment to building strong relationships.

His staff appreciates how he was always a step ahead, whether it was preparing for the next school year months in advance or addressing challenges as they came up.

Tene Kelly, an assistant principal, who plans to take over his role, reflects on how much she learned from him. “Being proactive is key,” Ms. Kelly said. “I learned that addressing issues immediately or planning for them long-term makes all the difference. Along with transparency, making sure everyone knows where you stand is critical for effective leadership.’’

As principal, Fucheck dealt with the the adult side of the school, staff, administration and parents, but working with students proved to be his true passion. “Helping students make good life choices. That’s what I loved most,” he said. “Seeing them grow, learn and overcome challenges…That’s what kept me coming back every day.”

Under Mr. Fucheck’s leadership, Bronx River High School became more than just a place of education; it became a community. Students were inspired, teachers felt supported and families knew their children were in good hands. His leadership wasn’t just about rules or regulations, it was more about connection.

“I think what we’ll miss most about him is his personality,” Ms. Kelly said. “He has a big personality and everyone knows him. He’s done an amazing job building relationships with the students, staff and families. He made the school feel like home.”

Students, too, feel this connection. Juery Mota, a senior, remembers how the principal’s casual but genuine interactions made him feel valued. “He made the school feel safe,’’ he said. “He’d joke with us, even come over to our lunch table and tease us. He was always there for us, and we knew he had our backs.”

Kamila Felix, another senior, appreciates how Mr. Fucheck made the school environment feel welcoming and positive. “He always communicated well with students,’’ she said. “He made me feel like I belonged here, and when he talked to me about my future, it really stuck with me.’’

Starr Giscombe, who started at the school as a science teacher, appreciates how Mr. Fucheck gave her room to grow and flourish as an assistant principal. “He allows you to do your thing, he allows you to make mistakes, but if it goes too far, he reels you back in,” she said.

Ms. Giscombe says Mr. Fucheck isn’t a micromanager, which makes it easier for her to do her job. “If he was a micro manager then I wouldn’t survive this job…it would drive me insane,” she said.

One of Ms. Giscombe’s favorite memories is when Mr. Fucheck embodied his inner child while roller skating with students during a school event. “This is the day he went from Mr. Fucheck, to Fufu for me,’’ she said. “He was really chill. This man put on a gold disco suit and some skates, the skates had lights and he had a blast. He was having more fun than the kids and he also used to say in order to survive in this job you have to be a kid and embrace it. In that moment, that was him embodying what he said, he was a kid.”

This is the one memory that stuck with her the most since it was a wholesome funny moment and made her feel comfortable enough to call him Fufu.

Ms. Giscombe, who has accomplished many things under his leadership, is proudest of the team she created. “Our instructional leadership team had a rough start because I had to learn how to be an administrator,” she said.

It was a completely different experience for her because her words weighed heavily towards her peers. She’s most proud of, “learning how to build and cultivate a team. Our ILT is full of beasts; we have some of the best teachers in our school” and it was all created thanks to the instructional leadership team,” says Ms. Giscombe.

She will miss the energies that Mr. Fucheck brings to space. “He’s so nonchalant and so carefree,” she said. “He doesn’t let anything stress him. Because he’s like that, he makes the space calm and it makes you feel better.”

She says if he didn’t have this personality, her job would’ve been rough because he let her make mistakes and also grow and fix them.

However, when it comes to a change due to new leadership, she isn’t sure what change will come. “I don’t know; let’s roll the dice. The only thing we do know for sure is that Fufu will no longer be here.”

She hopes the structure and people will stay strong and remain the same. “The moment those people shift, there’s a culture shift, a student experience shift, everything else shifts,” she said.

Dominick Pellettieri, a physical education teacher and dean, appreciates how the retiring principal leads. “Mr. Fucheck’s leadership style is that he leads by example and he would rather ask for forgiveness rather than permission,’’ he said. “He holds the school in the utmost regard, and leads by example day in and day out.’’

He’s learned from Mr. Fucheck to “always be on time and dress to impress,” said Mr. Pelletteiri. Since he is a physical education teacher, his dress to impress is athletic clothing.

A memory that stuck with Mr. Pellettieri was when Mr. Fucheck was being taped to the wall for a school fundraiser. “It was a funny moment; each strip of tape was $1. I put the final tape over his face.”