Neubauer Fellows Community

Emily Diefendorf

Director of Instructional Resources, Opportunity Network
School District of Philadelphia
2019 Neubauer Fellow
Education
M.A. Education, St. Joseph’s University
Administrative Certification Program, Philadelphia Pathway to Leadership in Urban Schools
B.A. Journalism and History, Indiana University
“I am looking forward to growing in this professional community, as I develop my skills and experiences as a school leader. I serve as a principal to increase my impact in student achievement. I believe that freedom is paved through education, and I work each day to provide a quality experience for each child in our building.”

Emily has been the Director of Instructional Resources for the Opportunity Network of the School District of Philadelphia since 2024. Previously, she began serving as Literacy Coach for the Children’s Literacy Initiative, working with teaching in literacy instruction, in 2022. Prior to this role, she served as principal of Our Mother of Sorrows/St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School (2019-2022). Prior to that, Emily was the principal of Holy Cross Catholic School for 3 years. Under her leadership at Holy Cross, students engaged in a new math curriculum, Eureka math, and increased math scores via Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing, which measures growth three times each year.

Emily has been an educator since 2004. Prior to becoming a principal, Emily served as assistant principal, middle school math lead teacher, and middle school teacher. Emily grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Fellow Listing