NEENAH, Wis. — An elementary school principal from the Neenah Joint School District has passed away.
Tullar Elementary School Principal Amber Zernzach died on August 2. She was 36.
Zernzach was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in April. She had been the principal at Tullar for the past two years after serving one year as principal at Rosendale-Brandon Elementary School. She previously worked three years as a literacy coach and reading interventionist at Webster Stanley Elementary School in Oshkosh and taught fifth grade for one year at Roosevelt Elementary School in Oshkosh. She began her career by teaching five years ago at Winneconne Elementary School.
“Amber made a significant impact on our district and her students in her short time in Neenah as shown by the outpouring of support during her illness,” said Neenah Joint School District superintendent Dr. Steve Harrison. “This is a devastating time for all of us in NJSD. We extend our deepest sympathies and support to her family as well as the students and staff at Tullar Elementary.”
She is survived by her husband, Ryan, and their three daughters. Zernzach was a Kenosha native and loved the outdoors, particularly fishing and hunting. She earned a degree in elementary education from UW-Oshkosh and obtained a master’s degree in education from UW-Stout.
Bill Richardson, a longtime counselor and administrator in Neenah until his retirement in 2022, has been assisting at Tullar and will continue as the school’s interim principal.
