If you’ve ever walked the halls of Washington Elementary, chances are you’ve heard his voice before you’ve seen his face warm, confident, and unmistakably present. For more than a decade, Joseph “Joe” Torres has been a steady and guiding presence at Washington, where he’s served as Dean of Students since 2014. The most senior dean in the School District of Lancaster, Joe leads with heart, humor, and the kind of everyday connection that makes students and staff alike feel seen, heard, and supported.
From storm chaser to music educator
Joe’s journey didn’t start in Lancaster. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he originally dreamed of becoming a singing weatherman, yes, really. With a deep love for both meteorology and music, Joe imagined himself delivering forecasts on TV with a melody and a smile. He was fascinated by weather systems and climate change as a teenager, even completing a science project on how cancer spreads in zero gravity through a NASA simulator program at his high school.
His path took a turn when he struggled in physics during his senior year. To avoid summer school, Joe struck a deal with his teacher: switch his intended college major to something outside of science, and he could graduate on time. He changed his major to music and never looked back.
At Millersville University, Joe earned a degree in Music Education. Though he had planned to return to Philly to teach, the School District of Lancaster called him just before the start of the school year, offering a long-term substitute role at Wickersham Elementary that soon became permanent. “I had every intention of going home,” Joe says, “but I stayed. And it’s one of the best decisions I ever made.”
The transition to dean
From 2008 to 2014, Joe taught general music at Wickersham Elementary. He brought structure and joy to every performance and practice, working with students across all grade levels and collaborating with colleagues to build events, field days, and schedules that brought the whole school together. Even as a music teacher, Joe was a systems thinker, always looking at the bigger picture.
That bigger picture led him to consider a new role when the Dean position opened at Washington. Encouraged by his principal, colleagues, and his faith community, Joe applied. “As a music teacher, I already had a relationship with every student. Becoming a dean meant I could deepen that relationship and support every part of the building.”
Creating calm, building routine, and showing up for kids
11 years in, Joe’s mornings start early with soft landings for students who need extra support. Breakfast. Check-ins. A review of goals or a quick chat about the night before. Then he walks the school, greeting classrooms, ensuring staff and students feel supported and settled. “My job is to make sure everyone else can do theirs,” he says.
He sees himself not as a disciplinarian but as a stabilizer. “I step in when something’s missing: a staff member, a space to reset, a listening ear. I fill the gap so the system keeps moving and our students keep learning.”
The Learning Lab: where accountability and joy coexist
At the center of Joe’s work is the Learning Lab, his office and a hub of support and care. There’s a piano for spontaneous music sessions, Uno and board games, art materials, and open space to talk or reflect. Students come for positive breaks, earned incentives, or to debrief challenging behavior.
“We don’t use the word punishment,” Joe says. “Behavior is communication. And I’m here to teach kids how to express themselves, name what they’re feeling, and understand that actions have consequences but so does growth.”
He reframes behavior using a unique philosophy: “It’s not a first offense, it’s a first try. A second try. A third try. We’re practicing how to be our best selves.”
A place for staff to breathe
It’s not just kids who benefit from Joe’s presence. Teachers and staff also visit the Learning Lab for a moment to reset sometimes on the beanbags, sometimes over a quick game. “This space is for everyone,” he says. “We all need somewhere to catch our breath.”
Colleagues describe Joe as a quiet force steady, thoughtful, and always willing to listen. He’s the person they go to with ideas, concerns, and challenges. “I love problem-solving,” Joe says. “Not just fixing things, but really listening and working toward solutions together.”
Rooted in purpose, free to advocate
While he’s been encouraged to pursue administrative leadership or principal roles, Joe has intentionally stayed rooted in his current work. “I love that I get to be myself in this role. I can advocate without being bound by layers of protocol. I can speak up, show up, and stay connected.”
His advocacy extends far beyond the building. Joe is active in statewide education policy, especially around equity and justice. He leads worship at his church, chairs educational justice efforts through the state union, and is helping launch an LGBTQIA+ caucus for educators across Pennsylvania. “Being a dean allows me the flexibility to serve my students and also to push for change that benefits them outside of the classroom.”
Advice to the next generation
When asked what advice he’d give students, educators, or aspiring leaders, Joe responds with clarity: “Wake up ready to love. Ready to forgive. Ready to try your best. And be honest with yourself about what your best really looks like.”
He encourages others to embrace a growth mindset, not just in theory, but in daily practice. “This work is not about perfection, it’s about presence. And if you bring your full, authentic self every day, you’ll make a difference.”
A steady force, a lasting legacy
After more than a decade in the role, Joe Torres continues to shape the culture of Washington Elementary one soft landing, one problem solved, one earned break at a time. He doesn’t need the spotlight to lead. His impact is felt in the way students walk into the building each morning, in the trust teachers place in him, and in the calm that surrounds his office, a space full of grace, accountability, and opportunity.
Joe is more than a dean. He’s a guide. A builder. A source of calm. A reminder that the heart of leadership is simply showing up and doing the work with love. Thank you Joe, for all that you do and continue to do for our community!