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Leta has served as the School District of Philadelphia’s Executive Director of Teacher Effectiveness and Evaluation since 2017. In this role, she serves school leaders, teachers and Non-teaching Professional Employees (NTPE) through the management of the district’s evaluation system in accordance and guidance of Act 82. Leta and her team are focused on ensuring that the systems and processes are grounded in growth, development, and continuous improvement in order to have a positive and sustained impact on student outcomes.

Previously, Leta served principal of Andrew Hamilton School (2013 – 2017). Under her leadership, Andrew Hamilton School achieved 72% growth (2014-2015) and 68% growth (2015-2016) within the School Progress Report Progress category. In addition, Hamilton School collaborated with community members to restore the library and institute volunteer library circulation and reading lessons.

Leta has been an educator since 1997. Prior to becoming a principal, Leta served as school-based administrator, dean, school-based teacher leader, testing coordinator, and 6-8th grade teacher. She is a member of Talent Equity Partners (2020-21) and has also served on the Principal/Assistant Principal Selection Committee and CASA Evaluation Committee since 2018. Leta grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls.

Brian became the principal of Bartram High School in fall 2019. Previously, Brian served as the principal of William T. Tilden Middle School (2013-2019). Under his leadership, Tilden Middle School’s Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS) scores, which measure student growth, improved from almost all red (significant evidence that the school did not meet standard for academic growth) to almost all blue and green (significant evidence that the school met or exceeded the standard for PA Academic Growth). Tilden also improved its School District of Philadelphia School Progress Report (SPR) Overall score by 31% and Progress score by 60% (2017-18 compared to 2015-16). Also during his tenure at Tilden Middle School, Brian led school and community partners through the district’s School Redesign Initiative, which focuses on transforming instructional practices and overall school culture to improve student learning outcomes.

Brian has been an educator since 1997. He led his professional learning community of principal colleagues (2014-2018), was a U.S. Department of Education Success Mentor Initiative Principal for the campaign to eliminate chronic absenteeism (2015 and 2016), and served on the School District of Philadelphia’s “My Brother’s Keeper” White House initiative to address absenteeism (2016). Prior to becoming a principal, Brian served as a Principal Intern, Small School Team Leader, Assistant Dean of Students, Co-Department Representative, Math Teacher, and Head Boys Basketball Coach. Brian grew up in La Mott, PA.

Now retired, William served as the principal of John Hancock Demonstration School from 2006. to 2022. Under his leadership, John Hancock Demonstration School was recognized as a Pennsylvania Department of Education High Progress School.

William has been an educator since 1987. Prior to his role at John Hancock Demonstration School, William served as principal at Kennedy Crossan Elementary School (2003 – 2006). In addition, William has been a Special Education Case Manager and Department Chairman, and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) Building Representative. Further, in his role as Data/Technology Manager for the School District of Philadelphia Intermediate Unit, he developed the Philadelphia version of EasyIEP and EasyTRAC. William grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Northeast Catholic School for Boys.

Michael has served as first lay (non Catholic Priest) President of Saint Peter’s Preparatory School in New Jersey since 2019. As President he manages the Principal, CFO, Vice President of Advancement, Director of Marketing, Director of Buildings and Grounds, and Director of Communications. During his time in the Fellowship, Michael served as the founding principal of Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School beginning in 2012. Prior to his role at Cristo Rey, Michael was principal of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and assistant principal of Creighton Preparatory School (Omaha, NE).

Michael has been an educator since 1997.  He began his career as a teacher, director, and coach at his alma mater, St. Peter’s Preparatory School (Jersey City, NJ). Michael has received numerous awards during his career, such as the Martin Luther King Scholarship for excellence in leadership and the Klingenstein Scholarship Award. In 2013, Michael was selected as one of “Philadelphia’s 40 Under 40” by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Michael serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Peter’s University and he grew up in New Jersey.

Jodan has served as the principal of AMY Northwest Middle School since 2013. Under her leadership, AMY increased the percentage of students attending 95% or more school from 48% to 67% in one school year. During the same year, the student growth metric rose from 49% to 85% and there was an increase in the climate score from 71% to 88%, according to the School Progress Report. In 2016, AMY was recognized as the most improved middle school in the district.

Jodan has been an educator since 2002.  In 2018-2019, Jodan was the Program Lead for the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders Performance Partners program. Prior to becoming a principal, she served as a middle school reading, science, and math teacher, an 8th Grade Lead Teacher, and a Reading Curriculum Coordinator. In 2018, she received the Lindback Distinguished Principal Leadership Award. Jodan grew up in Philadelphia, and graduated from J.R. Masterman High School.

Michael is Chief Learning Officer for the School District of Philadelphia. He previously served as the district’s Deputy Chief of Leadership Development. In these roles, Michael is charged with the mission critical task of ensuring the School District of Philadelphia has an effective leader in every school campus and an effective workforce supporting them. Michael provides leadership in the creation and implementation of professional development for all school leadership, including the Leadership Coaching Program, and ensures that Learning Network Assistant Superintendents and central staff are equipped with the tools and training to support and monitor effective leadership development.

Prior to these Central Office roles, Michael served as the principal of Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School (Penn Alexander School). Under his leadership, Penn Alexander School was twice named a city-wide leader for K-8 schools on the School Progress Report (SPR). The school achieved the Highest Overall School Progress Report Score for 2018-2019 and was named as a model school for Progress on Equity (increasing this progress metric by 21% points). In the 2018-19 school-year, African American students’ proficiency rates increased by 12% in Science, Special Education students increased their Math proficiency by 8%, English Language Learner (ELL) students received the highest possible rating for their achievement, and 90% of K-2 students were reading at or above grade level. As of 2020, for two consecutive years, students of color reading on grade level have increased by 15%, and African American students reading on grade level has increased by 27%.

Michael has been an educator since 2007. Michael is a founding board member of the GLSEN Philadelphia chapter, and serves on the board of the Writers Matter Program. Michael received the Professional Development Partnership Award from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and an Equity & Inclusion Award from the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators. He is an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.  Michael grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School.

Genevieve served as the principal of Stephen Decatur School from 2011 until her retirement in 2023. Under Genevieve’s leadership, from 2017-2018 to s2018-2019 Decatur’s School Progress Report (SPR) scores increased by 13% in Achievement, 6% in Progress, and 28% in Climate. Decatur is recognized on the SPR in the Model category for K-2 Reading on grade level, English Language Learner Access scores, and for English Language Arts (ELA) Growth. On SPR Climate measures, Decatur was a Model for its zero percent out-of-school suspension rate, Annual Student Retention, and Parent Survey Participation (a 65% participation rate and the percentage of positive responses for Decatur was second overall in its Network). Further, Decatur achieved targeted growth on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) in 2018-2019. In ELA, there was a 13% increase for students from 5th to 6th grade and a 7.7% increase for students from 6th to 7th grade. In Math, there was a 10.2% increase for students from 5th to 6th grade. In Text Dependent Analysis (TDA),  students achieved an 11% increase for Grade 6, a 28% increase for Grade 7 and a 38% increase for Grade 8.

Decatur was also recognized as a model school for Blended Learning. Decatur was awarded the Blended Learning Grant to obtain Chromebook carts for Grades 3-5 and was then awarded the expansion grant for Grades Kindergarten-2. Most recently, Decatur received a Pennsylvania Department of Education Grant for air conditioning and technology. Consequently, the school was able to install air conditioning units in every classroom, in all three buildings, and in the cafeteria. Additionally Smart Boards were purchased for classrooms in almost all grades. Decatur was also awarded the WHYY grant and the “Leader in Me Grant.”

Genvieve has been an educator since 1985. Prior to becoming principal of Stephen Decatur School, Genevieve served as an assistant principal, instructional reform facilitator, school-based teacher leader, and literacy teacher. She is the first in her family to obtain college and advanced degrees. Genevieve was born and raised in Philadelphia.

Tamara serves as an Assistant Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. Previously, Tamara served as the principal of Thomas K. Finletter from 2014 – 2021. Under her leadership, Finletter School has accomplished consecutive gains in literacy and school climate. On the 2018-19 School Progress Report (SPR) Finletter increased from 39% to 55% in Overall Progress, improving the school’s status designation to “Reinforce.” In Academic Progress specifically, the school moved to the “Model” designation with 85% of students making appropriate academic gains. In addition, Tamara spearheaded a school-wide Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) that successfully promotes appropriate school behaviors and decreased the number of student disciplinary referrals.

Tamara has been an educator since 2002. Prior to becoming a principal, Tamara served as a dean, school-based teacher leader, and 2nd and 4th grade teacher. She received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals in 2020. Tamara completed the Aspiring Assistant Superintendent Academy with Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders, sits on the Chief of School Advisory Board and and the Learning Network 7 Advisory Board. Tamara grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Lankenau High School.

Jamina began serving as an Assistant Superintendent in the School District of Philadelphia in 2020. In this role, she works to support the eleven schools in Learning Network 12 to operationalize the district vision, providing in-time feedback, support and oversight to the instructional program, community engagement and financial resources. Previously, Jamina was a Leadership Coach with TNTP’s PhillyPLUS program since 2018. In that role, she coached aspiring school leaders during their year-long principal residency. Prior to that role, Jamina served as a principal of Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary in Philadelphia from 2014-2018. Under her leadership, Bethune Elementary increased its School Progress Report (SPR) Overall score by 15% from 2015-2016 to 2017-2018. Further, Bethune Elementary gained national recognition for increasing staff diversity through an intentional recruitment plan that resulted in black male educators making up 31% of the overall staff. This percentage marked the highest in Philadelphia and far exceeded the national average (2%).

Jamina has been an educator since 1999. Jamina is a former Relay National Principals Academy Fellow and received the Lauretta Woodson Award from the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and the Women’s Day Legacy Award from Zion Baptist Church. Prior to becoming a principal, Jamina served as an instructional support officer, teacher leader, and teacher (6th grade, 2nd grade, and literacy). Jamina grew up in Westbury, New York.

Michael has served as the principal of Frankford High School since 2015. Under his leadership, Frankford High School provides students with multiple separate aviation career tracks including private pilot, unmanned aircraft systems, aviation management, air traffic control, and aviation maintenance. In addition, the school is the first in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in solar energy and hotel and tourism management. Frankford High School has also reestablished a full menu of creative and performing arts offerings. Further, academic improvement includes 9th and 10th grade students achieving increases of 8% and 18% respectively for “on track to graduate” rates from 2018-19 to 2019-20.

Michael has been an educator since 1998. Prior to becoming a principal, Michael served as a dean of students, science leader, and teacher. Michael was featured in Principal Leadership magazine for implementing restorative practices to build community, improve climate, and reduce suspensions. Michael grew up in Havertown, PA.

Amelia is the associate superintendent of of K-8, Middle and Charter Schools in Prince George’s County. Previously, she served as Assistant Superintendent with the School District of Philadelphia from 2017 to 2023. In that role, Amelia supervised twelve principals.

Amelia has been an educator since 1999. Prior to becoming Assistant Superintendent, she served as principal at W.D. Kelley Elementary School in North Philadelphia (2010 – 2016). Additional professional roles include assistant superintendent fellow, vice principal, academic coach, teacher consultant, teacher, and Guest Presenter for the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Amelia believes that the most essential characteristic of an urban educator is a caring spirit. Amelia grew up in Philadelphia and attended Scotland School for Veterans Children.

In 2022, Christopher assumed his role as Chief Executive Officer at New Foundations Charter School, where he oversees the school system, ensuring mission and vision alignment and successful outcomes for all community members, including students, staff, and parents. He leads both the K-8 and 9-12 buildings. Prior to his role as CEO, Christopher served as the principal of Freire Charter Middle School (2014-2022). Under his leadership, Freire Charter Middle School was ranked in the Top 10 for middle schools in Philadelphia according to the district School Progress Report (SPR) for two years in a row (2016-17 and 2017-18). In 2018-19, Freire, for the third consecutive time, achieved a 100 on the SPR growth category. No other school has achieved a 100 more than once. Freire had the state’s third highest growth in English Language Arts in 2016 and 2017 and the state’s highest growth in Math on state standardized tests in 2017-2018. Freire is also the only school to score a 100 in the progress category of the SPR for two consecutive years (2016-17 and 2017-2018).

Christopher has been an educator since 2007. Prior to becoming a principal, Christopher served as a Director of Special Education, an adaptive physical education teacher for students with autism, and a 9th grade special education teacher. Christopher grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Roman Catholic High School.

Shira Woolf Cohen is a founding partner at Innovageous, an education consulting group focused on ensuring continuity of learning and inclusive opportunities for all children by building the capacity of educators, schools, and organizations to develop innovative and courageous solutions in education. In this role, Shira has served approximately 30 schools and organizations and more than 1,000 leaders and educators by analyzing educational landscapes, providing professional learning and coaching, and facilitating program and systems planning.

Prior to founding Innovageous, Shira served as the principal of New Foundations Charter School (2014-2020). Under her leadership, New Foundations earned recognition as the top-performing charter school in Philadelphia in 2015. Shira is the recipient of the G. Bernard Gill Award for Urban Service-Learning Leadership.

Shira also serves as an adjunct instructor and university supervisor for aspiring teachers and leaders at Holy Family University and the University of Phoenix, as Board Chair for the National Youth Leadership Council, and as the facilitator for the National Youth Leadership Council’s Certificate in Service-Learning Instructional Leadership program. Shira is an active member of the Catalyst:Ed network, and serves as the facilitator of the nationwide School Reimagining provider resource group. She grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Lisa has served as the principal of Joseph W. Catharine Elementary School since 2016. Under her leadership, Catharine Elementary School achieved 10% growth in students attending school 95% of scheduled days and 11% growth in Overall Progress on the School Progress Report (SPR). Catharine Elementary School was featured in the Philadelphia Tribune for its Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) efforts and received a $25,000 Matching Grant through the Neubauer Family Foundation and MainLine Arts Center.

Lisa has been an educator since 2000. Prior to becoming a principal, Lisa served as an assistant principal, building union representative, professional learning community leader, and 5th/6th grade teacher. Lisa grew up in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

As an Assistant Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia, Shakeera provides direct support to 16 schools (elementary and middle), supervising, coaching, and supporting 16 principals as they improve outcomes for the students in our network. She’s held this role since 2021.

Previously, Shakeera served as the principal of Bregy Elementary School from 2015-2021. Under Shakeera’s leadership, students at Bregy receive increased instructional time, Bregy decreased the number of students with out-of-school suspensions by 5%, and increased the number of students attending school 95% of time or more from 29% to 38% in just one school year. Bregy’s students improved in reading, with 50% of K-2 students reading on grade level by the end of 2017-18 compared to only 41% in the prior year. Bregy also received the School Progress Report (SPR) award in 2019 for achieving Highest Four Year Improvement in the Overall category, moving Bregy up two tier levels. Bregy has been featured and honored at the School District of Philadelphia Climate Expo two years in a row for their Peer Mediation Program and positive climate data.

Shakeera has been an educator since 1999. She received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Principal Leadership in 2020, an award that recognizes and rewards school principals who have made significant leadership and humanitarian contributions to their school communities. Prior to becoming a principal, Shakeera served as a school-based teacher leader, instructional reform facilitator and 2nd/3rd grade teacher. Shakeera grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Overbrook High School.

Stu serves as the Assistant Principal at Lower Merion School District Chief. Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer at ArtistYear, leading the organization’s vision, strategy, program and operations in addressing inequities in arts education. In 2021, ArtistYear served 51 schools and principals, and has grown in 2022 to serve more than 80 schools across Philadelphia, New York, Colorado and North Carolina.

Prior to this role, Stu was the 2020 founding principal of KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy High School in Camden, New Jersey. Before becoming a founding principal he served as a principal for Mastery Charter Schools beginning in 2014, first at Harrity Upper School in West Philadelphia and subsequently at Thomas High School in South Philadelphia. During his four years at Harrity, the students increased proficiency on statewide exams – math proficiency rose by 16% and English Language Arts rose by 23%. In 2019, Harrity was recognized by the School District of Philadelphia for advancing two categories on the city’s School Progress Report (SPR) between 2014 – 2018.

Stu has been an educator since 2003. He is a 2019-2020 KIPP Fisher Fellow. Prior to becoming a principal, Stu served as a middle school teacher in the New York City school district, and as a Dean of Students for Achievement First Endeavor Middle School in Brooklyn. In addition to being a principal, Stu got the chance to represent Harrity and all of his students on season 10 of NBC’s show, “American Ninja Warrior.” Stuart grew up in Media, Pennsylvania and graduated from Friends’ Central School.

Now retired, Karen served as a Principal Coach for the School District of Philadelphia since 2019 where she worked directly with school leaders to help them identify and work toward professional and personal growth. Prior to this role, Karen served as the principal of William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs from 2014-2019. Under her leadership, Bodine High School expanded the special admissions high school International Baccalaureate (IB) Program teacher training and class offerings so that all juniors take IB classes or enroll in the full IB diploma program. In addition, Bodine High School received the 2nd Place Ranking in the “2018 List of Standout High Schools in Pennsylvania” by Niche, the 2015-16 Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Keystone Award for Academic Excellence, and the 2015 School District of Philadelphia’s Peer Leader Award.

Karen has been an educator since 1995. Prior to her role at Bodine High School, Karen served as principal at Cook-Wissahickon school in Philadelphia (2010-2014) where she implemented a “middle school within a school” model in a K-8 school, resulting in significantly fewer student incidents and increased readiness for high school. In addition to her principal roles, Karen worked as a high school science teacher. Karen serves as a member of the board for the Youth Volunteer Corps of Greater Philadelphian and was honored with the 2019 B’nai B’rith Humanitarian Award. Karen grew up on a U.S. Naval base in New London, CT, and attended high school in Aston, PA.

Kate Sylvester is currently serving as the principal of Joseph W. Catharine School. She  served as the principal of Watson T. Comly Elementary School from 2015 to 2024. Under her leadership, Watson T. Comly moved from a “watch” school to a “model” school on the School Progress Report and increased scores by 6% in English Language Arts and math and nearly 2% in science. Comly also received an award for Most Improved Elementary School from the School District of Philadelphia.

Kate has been an educator since 2002. Prior to becoming a principal, Kate served as instructional reform facilitator, school-based teacher leader, and middle school teacher. She is the Learning Network 8 Principal Cohort Lead for Trauma Informed Practices. Kate grew up in Flourtown, Pennsylvania.

Michael has served as the principal of Olney High School since 2022. Prior to that, he served as the principal of Olney Elementary School (2014-2022). Under his leadership, Olney Elementary School ranked #1 out of 225 Philadelphia district and charter elementary schools in making student academic progress over three consecutive years. In addition, Olney Elementary ranked 6th out of 2,000 Pennsylvania elementary schools in literacy progress over three consecutive years. Olney also ranked 60th (top 3%) out of 2,000 Pennsylvania elementary schools in mathematics progress over three consecutive years.

Michael has been an educator since 2005. Prior to becoming a principal, Michael served as assistant principal, teacher coach, dean of students, and middle/high school social studies teacher. Michael received the Lindback Distinguished Principal Award in 2018 and the City Year Moccasin Award. Michael grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Marisol has served as the principal of Juniata Park Academy since 2017. Under her leadership, Juniata Park Academy moved up two tiers in the overall category, from Intervene to Reinforce, on the School District of Philadelphia School Progress Report (SPR), and achieved 82% in the progress category during the 2017-2018 school year. For the 2018-19 school year, Mathematics and English Language Arts SPR progress scores were both in the “Model” category and the school increased from 63% to 66% in the climate category.

Before her time at Juniata Park, Marisol served as principal of Isaac A. Sheppard Elementary School. During her tenure, Sheppard Elementary increased its achievement scores by more than 10% on the reading, mathematics, and science state standardized tests.

Marisol has been an educator since 2001. Prior to becoming a principal, Marisol served as a reading curriculum coordinator, consulting teacher, observation and feedback coach, and middle years English teacher. During Marisol’s tenure as an teacher, she increased her students’ reading by at least two to three grade levels. Marisol grew up in Philadelphia and attended Philadelphia public schools.

Sherin has served as the principal of William Loesche Elementary School since 2014. Under her leadership, William Loesche Elementary School ranked #1 in elementary schools in Philadelphia and was recently recognized as a Title 1 distinguished school for progress.

Sherin has been an educator since 2003. Prior to becoming a principal, Sherin served as a teacher, multilingual manager, multilingual director, and assistant principal. Sherin grew up in Bensalem, Pennsylvania and graduated from Bensalem High School.

Jack has served as the principal of Abraham Lincoln High School since 2015. Under his leadership, Lincoln High School ranked 10th in the nation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) outcomes. The school’s Horticulture Academy also won the Philadelphia Flower Show two years in a row.

Jack has been an educator since 1995. Prior to becoming a principal, Jack served as an assistant principal and a dean of students. Jack is the first black principal in Abraham Lincoln High School history. He endeavors to continue being an active contributor to the field of education and to make a difference in the lives of children. Jack grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Germantown High School.

Colette has served as the principal of Swenson Arts and Technology High School since 2013. As principal of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) school, she focuses on enhanced integration, equity, and rigor in academic and vocational education to ensure that all Swenson graduates are prepared for college and careers.

Under her leadership, students increased participation in dual enrollment programs at the Community College of Philadelphia and the DC21 Finishing Trades Institute, along with Comcast internships and Architecture, Consruction, and Engineering (AC) Mentoring opportunities. Students participating in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Swenson collectively earn over 200 industry certifications annually. Swenson also achieved a 13% improvement in students scoring proficient or advanced on the Algebra 1 Keystone and an 11% increase in the number of students attending school at least 95% of the time. In addition, Swenson has an annual graduation rate above 95%.

Colette has been an educator since 1992. Prior to becoming a principal, Colette served as an assistant principal, English department chair, small learning community coordinator, CTE teacher, and English teacher. Colette was born in Newry, Northern Ireland, grew up in Philadelphia, and graduated from Saint Hubert High School for Girls.

Tiffany serves as the Director of Leadership Development at Skyrocket Educator Training, where she coaches and develops leaders in various school systems in Philadelphia and across the country.

Previously, Tiffany served as Head of Schools for KIPP Philadelphia from 2019 – 2021. In that role, she supervised and coached principals within the KIPP Philadelphia network as well as developed and provided monthly professional development for KIPP assistant principals and principals. Under Tiffany’s leadership, KIPP achieved improvement across all secondary schools, a decrease in violent incidents, an increase in Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) with growth in math and English Language Arts (ELA), an increase in teacher retention, and an increase in student daily average attendance rate. Prior to this role at KIPP, Tiffany was principal of Mastery Charter School’s Clymer Campus. Under her leadership, Clymer increased math state assessment scores by 6%. In addition, 4th grade students increased their science Pennsylvania System for School Assessment (PSSA) scores by 6% and Kindergarten-2nd grade students saw a 12% increase in reading at grade level.

Tiffany has been an educator since 2002. Prior to becoming a principal, Tiffany served as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher, 6th and 7th grade science teacher, lead teacher, and assistant principal. Tiffany received the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year award in 2006 and a Community Service Award from the National Association of University Women in 2017. Tiffany grew up in Roselle, New Jersey.