A pack of hungry students rushes into Curtis High School's lunchroom, but not before stopping to say hello to the school's new principal, Greg Jaenicke.

Jaenicke is the first new principal at the school in 12 years and fills the position left vacant when former principal Aurelia Curtis retired in 2014.

It is a career promotion that Jaenicke is excited to begin but never anticipated taking.

"I went on to CUNY, Baruch college and got my Undergraduate degree in business. I had no intention of going into education until I started coaching and I saw the parallels between coaching and teaching and that's sort of how my passion for education blossomed," Jaenicke said.

The West Brighton resident began his time at Curtis High School as a math teacher between 1998 and 2003.

Since then, he has taught at many high schools on Staten Island.

He eventually took on several administrative positions within the Department of Education, but said he missed the daily interactions with students and staff.

"When the position of principal at Curtis High School became available when Dr. Curtis retired, it was an opportunity to apply that I just couldn't pass up," Jaenicke said with a smile.

In the two months since he has circled back, some students say they are beginning to notice a difference at their school.

"I feel like it's more stricter now, I feel like we had a little bit more leeway with the old principal," Johnny Medina, Curtis High School Junior said.

"He seems really nice. He always says hi to us, he's a good person," said Curtis High School Junior Alyssa O'Toole.

Principal Jaenicke says he is coming in as principal as other things are changing.

The school is now in the beginning stages of a long awaited expansion project. 

"We should be breaking ground soon and then we're looking at occupancy in that new building in just a couple of years, which will add much needed classroom space and a competition gym," Jaenicke said.

When he is not taking care of his administrative duties, you might find him out and about.  

"One of my favorite pastimes is a trip to Denino's, followed by Ralph's. We do that for or 4 times a Summer. If pizza could be the meal seven days a week, that would be it,” Jaenicke said.