Neubauer Fellows Community

Dr. Zenobia Story

Principal, Global Leadership Academy Southwest
GLA Charter Schools
2024 Neubauer Fellow
Sector
Charter
Grade Level
K-8
Student Enrollment
600
School/Org Neighborhood
Southwest Philadelphia
Education
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Capella University
MS in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Phoenix
BA in Education Clark Atlanta University
I serve as principal because I believe that every child deserves a stellar education regardless of their demographics. It's my commitment to equip and develop educators who stand before children with the tools necessary to educate scholars while exposing them to the world and empowering them with the knowledge and courage to make change.

Dr. Zenobia Story has served as the principal of Global Leadership Academy (GLA) Southwest since 2022. Under her leadership, Global Leadership Academy had 24% of scholars performing on or above grade level in English Language Arts and 13% in Math. Closing the achievement gap at GLA Southwest has been a major achievement with 81% of scholars making 1 years’ worth of growth in Math and 75% of scholars making 1 years’ worth of growth in English Language Arts according to the I-Ready quarterly benchmark. GLA Southwest has increased their number of eighth graders, in Fall of 2023, who were admitted to special admit and private high schools with scholarships by 25%.

Dr. Story has been an educator since 2005. Prior to becoming a principal, Dr. Story taught internationally as an English teacher in Tianjin, China. As well as served as an elementary school teacher, professional development liaison, Science and Social Studies site coordinator, grade level chairperson, academy leader (grades 3-5), director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, assistant principal, and principal for one year prior to GLA Southwest. Dr. Story was a recipient of Dekalb County’s Teacher of the Year in 2011.

Dr. Story grew up in Philadelphia and attended John Bartram High School’s Motivation Center.

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