Neubauer Fellows Appointed to Multiple Roles Within School District of Philadelphia Leadership
Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders (PASL) congratulates the many Neubauer Fellows promoted to new School District of Philadelphia roles, as announced by the district June 7.
KaTiedra Argro (2022/Cohort 7 Neubauer Fellow) returns to her alma mater with her appointment as Principal of Philadelphia High School for Girls. Argro most recently served as Principal of John Barry Elementary School. Under her leadership, John Barry demonstrated a 10 percentage point increase in student attendance; a 2.8 percentage point increase in Grade 3 Math Proficiency; a 1.9 percentage point increase in Grades 4 and 8 Science Proficiency; and a 3.6 percentage point decrease in students assessed as Math Below Basic (Grades 3-8).
Alphonso Evans (2024/Cohort 8 Neubauer Fellow) was selected as Assistant Superintendent of School Performance. Prior to this appointment, Evans spent two years as Principal of Stearne Elementary School, where he led the school’s turnaround, increasing student attendance by 13.5 percentage points; increasing teacher attendance by 17.4 percentage points; decreasing the number of students assessed as Reading Below Basic (Grades 3-8) by 12.6 percentage points; and decreasing the number of students assessed as Math Below Basic (Grades 3-8) by 7.8 percentage points.
Timothy McKenna (2015/Cohort 1 Neubauer Fellow) was named Assistant Superintendent of Post-Secondary Readiness, leading the district’s Office of Assessment and the Office of Evaluation, Research, and Accountability. Prior to this appointment, McKenna spent two years as Deputy Chief of Accountability in the Office of Evaluation, Research, and Accountability after 10 years as Principal of Central High School. Under his leadership, Central had 99 percent of students achieve proficiency or above on the Keystone ELA; 86.5 percent of students achieve proficiency or above on the Keystone Algebra I; 86 percent of 9th graders on track; and a 99% graduation rate.
Kimberly Newman (2016/Cohort 2 Neubauer Fellow) was selected as Associate Superintendent of School Performance for Elementary I. Newman previously served as Assistant Superintendent for Learning Network 6 after 11 years in the principal role at Houston Elementary School and Marian Anderson Academy, formerly Chester A. Arthur. Under her leadership, Network 6 has demonstrated a 4.4 percentage point increase in student attendance; a 7.2 percentage point increase in teacher attendance; and a 7.6 percentage point decrease in Reading Below Basic (Grade 3).
Donna Ragsdale (2018/Cohort 4 Neubauer Fellow) was appointed Assistant Superintendent of School Performance for the Acceleration Network following a 13-year tenure as Principal of Prince Hall School. In her last year at the helm (2022-2023), the school demonstrated a 6.3 percentage point increase in teacher attendance; a 10.2 percentage point increase in Grade 3 Reading Proficiency; a 20.5 percentage point decrease in students assessed as Reading Below Basic (Grade 3); and a 12.1 percentage point decrease in students assessed as Math Below Basic (Grades 3-8).
Mark Vitvitsky (2018/Cohort 4 Neubauer Fellow) was named Assistant Superintendent of School Performance, a role he takes on following 10 years as Principal of Bache-Martin School. Under his leadership, Bache-Martin achieved a 15.3 percentage point increase in student attendance; an 8.9 percentage point increase in teacher attendance; a 9.6 percentage point increase in Math Proficiency (Grades 3-8); and an 11.7 percentage point decrease in students assessed as Math Below Basic (Grades 3-8).
Additionally, Brian Meadows (2022/Cohort 7 Neubauer Fellow) was previously announced as Deputy Chief in the District’s Office of Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to taking on the Deputy Chief role, Meadows served as Principal at Thurgood Marshall and, before that, Boys’ Latin Middle School. Under his leadership, Thurgood Marshall’s kindergarten proficiency levels increased by 21%, and the school was Thurgood recognized as a model school in Positive Behavioral Interventions Support (PBIS).
“We are excited and proud to see so many Neubauer Fellows embracing the opportunity to deepen their impact on Philadelphia’s students and advancing as systems leaders,” said PASL Executive Director Edwin M. Quezada, EdD. “These appointments are a testament to these Fellows’ proven track records promoting positive growth in academic outcomes and students’ well-being and a reflection of their commitment to equity. I look forward to seeing innovative solutions and Neubauer Fellowship values in action as they serve is their new positions.”
“We created the Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership to enhance the leadership skills critical to elevating school performance and to provide a supportive network to the principals and educational leaders serving Philadelphia’s schools,” said PASL Board Chair Joseph Neubauer. “I know these highly qualified leaders will continue to keep student success a priority in their new roles.”
About the Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership
The Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership, PASL’s flagship program, identifies dedicated principals from throughout the city’s district, charter, and faith-based schools and elevates their performance by developing the leadership skills vital to improving student outcomes. Using a unique cross-sector, cohort-based approach, Fellows build deep relationships with a network of outstanding peers who share expertise and resources. Local and national practitioners, authors, and researchers facilitate a curriculum that supports Fellows to produce measurable, meaningful results. The Neubauer Fellowship is competitive and selective: the rigorous competency-based selection process includes an application, interviews, instructional analysis, data reviews, and school visits. Including the 2024 Cohort, the Fellowship serves 175 Philadelphia principals and system leaders who serve nearly 94,500 students.