Neubauer Fellows Community

Kahlila Johnson

Deputy Chief of Talent Management
School District of Philadelphia
2022 Neubauer Fellow
Sector
District
Grade Level
9th - 12th
Education
EdD Education and Organizational Leadership, University of Pennsylvania
M. Ed. Curriculum Instruction and Technology, Temple University
B.A Physics, Temple University
"I serve as a Principal to support the efforts that ALL children regardless, of race, gender or socioeconomic status, have access to a high quality education, where they are safe and nurtured daily while being treated with dignity, love and respect."

In 2023, Kahlila became the Deputy Chief of Talent Management with the School District of Philadelphia, overseeing teams in Leadership Talent Management, School Base Talent Management, and Substitute Talent Management. Prior to this, Kahlila served as the principal of Overbrook High School from 2019-2023. Under her leadership, Overbrook High School’s out of school suspensions decreased by 17.8%. During the 2021-2022 school year, the STAR Reading Assessment scores for At/Above increased in Grades 9-11 from 7.8% in Quarter 1 and to 15% in Quarter 2. Overbrook High School is meeting the high school graduation target of 65% of students graduating in the 2021-2022 school year. In the 2021-2022 SY the on-track data has increased for each grade level. Overbrook High School also has a Digital Media CTE program, where students partake in internships with the Mann Music Center and Live Nation.

Kahlila has been an educator since 1993. Prior to becoming the principal of Overbrook High School, Kahlila was the founding principal at Philadelphia Learning Academy-North in 2009. She has also served as principal at William L. Sayre High School from 2010-2012. Under her leadership, PSSA scores increased in literacy and Sayre was removed from the state’s most dangerous list. She has led in traditional public schools, charter and virtual charter. Prior to becoming a principal, Kahlila served as a physics teacher, 9th grade Success Academy team leader, district-wide academic coach, assistant principal, and deputy chief of high schools. Kahlila serves on the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Prior to becoming an educator, Kahlila worked for the United States Department of education as a researcher. Kahlila is a Queens, NY native, but her heart is in Philadelphia, PA where she was educated in public schools 5th-12th grade. She is the mother of two children, Taylor and Kirby, who are both educators in the city of Philadelphia.

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