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LeRoy has served as the principal of Henry H. Houston Elementary School since 2014. Under LeRoy’s leadership, Houston made remarkable gains in student progress during the 2017-18 school year as measured by the School Progress Report (SPR). Houston increased in all areas of the SPR, most notably in overall score (growing from 21% to 43% of possible points) and progress (21% to 72%). When LeRoy began as Principal of Houston in 2014-15; Houston was designated as one of 289 struggling school by the state of Pennsylvania due to poor test scores as well as other data points. The schools were charged with developing “improvement plans” with the direction of state advisors. However, in 2018, Houston lost the designation completely.
LeRoy has been an educator since 2003. Prior to becoming a principal, LeRoy served as assistant principal, assessment coordinator, professional learning community cluster leader, and elementary school teacher. LeRoy was also nominated for the Regis and Kelly 2010 Top Teacher Contest and received the Office Depot Adopt a Teacher Award in 2006 and 2007. When LeRoy was a math teacher (2008), his school received the Blue Ribbon award. LeRoy grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
After 13 years of service as Principal of Paul Robeson High School, Richard M. Gordon IV serves as an assistant superintendent for The School District of Philadelphia. When he became principal in 2012, when the school was one of 30 economically disadvantaged, underperforming schools slated for permanent closure. Spared at the 11th hour, Paul Robeson High School was placed under the leadership of Principal Gordon, who guided the school, which has a 100% minority student population and a 100% school poverty rate, through a period of transformation, including the 2017 Most Improved High School in the City of Philadelphia.
Principal Gordon is credited with developing a model college and career readiness program, with an 95% annual graduation rate, significantly higher than the city average of 70%. In 2019, the Pennsylvania State Department of Education recognized Principal Gordon for Paul Robeson High School becoming a “High Progress” school, removing it from state’s list of academically lowest performing schools. Principal Gordon is recognized as the only and first ever State and National Principal of the Year in the 204-year history of the School District of Philadelphia, being named National Principal of the Year on three occasions: by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in 2021; by the National Alliance of Black School Educators in 2019; and by Education Dive Magazine (K-12) in 2017.
In 2022, the Philadelphia Citizen named Principal Gordon Citizen on the Year; he is also the recipient of the Philadelphia Citizen/Accountability Lab’s Philadelphia Integrity Icon Award. He is also the recipient of the 2020 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated Zeta Iota Iota Chapter Philadelphia Citizen of the Year Award. Principal Gordon was recognized with citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2021; Two Resolutions City Council of Philadelphia in 2020, 2019, and 2017; and the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2017. He is also the recipient of Lincoln University’s 2021 Distinguished Alumni Professional Achievement Award and 2019 Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman Distinguished Alumni Award.
Additional honors include the 2022 National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year Award; the 2022 Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, Eastern Region Educator of the Year Award; the 2022 Top Educator by Marquis Who’s Who in American Education; the 2022 Schoolmen’s Club of Philadelphia Martin L. Glassman Commitment to Education Award; the 2021 6ABC Philadelphia Visions Black History Month Honoree; and the 2020 Diversity MBA Magazine Top 100 Under 50 Executive and Emerging Leaders Award.
Richard has been an educator since 1996. Prior to becoming a principal, Richard served as teacher, special education teacher, truancy liaison, and assistant principal. He is a board member of the University of Pennsylvania’s Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships (Community Advisory Board). Richard grew up in Camden, NJ, and Philadelphia.
Shakae serves the School District of Philadelphia as the Executive Director of Leadership Development. Before this role, she was the principal of Middle Years Alternative (MYA) School from 2014 – 2023. Under her leadership, MYA ranked #5 overall in its School Performance Report (SPR) score and increased its Overall score (a combination of Achievement, Progress, and Climate) from 52% to 73% moving it the “Reinforce” category. MYA’s Progress SPR score moved from 39% to 100% and the school Climate SPR score moved from 39% to 90%, making MYA a Model Climate school. MYA was recognized with the Outstanding School Climate Award in 2017-18, the Consecutive School Progress Award for three (2017-18) and then four (2018-19) years of consecutive SPR growth, and the Title 1 Distinguished Schools Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (2019-20). At MYA, Shakae incorporated new systems often found only in high schools for attendance, individualized rosters, and a data-driven instruction system where children analyze their own data. Additionally Shakae focuses on fostering distributive leadership in order to build leadership capacity among her staff. During her tenure, MYA strategically revamped its partnerships and changed its mission to focus on preparing and exposing students to opportunities that broaden exposure to college and career readiness competencies.
Shakae has been an educator since 2004. Prior to becoming a principal, Shakae served as a writer on the School District of Philadelphia’s English curriculum team to develop a standards-based core curriculum, a principal intern, and an English teacher. In 2019, Shake received the Lindback Distinguished Principal Leadership Award. Previously, Shakae received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching (2010), was a member of Relay Graduate School of Education’s National Principal Academy Fellowship (2016), and a graduate of the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders/School District of Philadelphia Aspiring Assistant Superintendent Academy (2019-20). Beginning in 2018, Shakae became the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators Special Projects Steward for Teamsters Local 502. Shakae grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Central High School.
Aaron became the principal of Henry C. Lea school in 2020. Previously, Aaron has served as the Head of School for Philadelphia Performing Arts High School (2018 – 2020) and principal of Science Leadership Academy (SLA). Under his leadership, SLA increased the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced on the Biology Keystone by 29%. Aaron also established an inquiry-based teacher-to-teacher mentorship program and co-designed a weeklong, interdisciplinary community partnership experience for students at SLA.
Aaron has been an educator since 2003. Prior to becoming a principal, Aaron served as co-principal, intern principal, special education teacher, and high school English teacher. Aaron received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2013 and National Liberty Museum Teacher as Hero Award. Aaron grew up in Sacramento, California.
Connie has served as the principal of Henry A. Brown Academics Plus Elementary School since 2012. Under her leadership, Brown’s average attendance increased to 93%. Connie also increased student, family, and community engagement by developing student government for grades 3-8, a School Advisory Council, and a Friends of H.A. Brown community group. Connie expanded opportunities for students by developing public and private partnerships to offer a rigorous, diverse curriculum for all learners that includes art, choir, music, robotics, yoga, karate, yearbook, broadcast news, and more. Brown recently received a Blended Learning Grant to provide a Chromebook cart and SMART Board for every K-8 classroom. Brown’s 7th and 8th graders were the first middle school students ever invited to speak at a Mayor’s Roundtable at City Hall.
Connie has been an educator since 1995. Prior to becoming a principal, Connie served as a Kindergarten through 6th grade teacher, teacher leader, dean of students, and assistant principal. Connie is also a professional development presenter for the School District of Philadelphia. She is the co-chairperson for the school district’s Act 82 committee and a Professional Learning Community leader for her network. Beginning in 2017, Connie became a member of the Principal Advisory Board and is currently the board lead. Connie received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Principal Leadership in 2016, an Educator 500 Award from West Chester University in 2005, and a House of Representatives Citation from State Representative O’Brien in 2017. Connie grew up in New Britain, Connecticut.
Stacey has served as the principal of Edwin M. Stanton School since 2008. Under her leadership, Stanton students and staff were honored as the most improved elementary school on the 2018 School Performance Report. In the following year, Stanton maintained growth and continues to make academic academic gains.
Stacey has been an educator since 1998. Prior to becoming principal of Stanton, Stacey served as principal of Pennypacker Elementary School. Stacey received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and a Civic Responsibility Award from the National Constitution Center. Stacey grew up in Dunmore, PA.
Colleen has served as the principal of Clara Barton Elementary School since 2009. Under Colleen’s leadership, the school transformed the literacy instructional program to a Readers and Writers Workshop model and increased its School Progress Report overall rating one full level.
Colleen has been an educator since 1991. Prior to becoming a principal, Colleen served as assistant principal, ALPS principal resident, secondary placement officer, small learning community coordinator, and elementary school teacher. Colleen grew up in Upper Darby, PA.
Stephanie began serving as the Principal of Cheltenham Elementary School in 2023. Previously, she was the principal of S. Weir Mitchell Elementary, starting in 2015, when she was chosen to lead as part of a five-year plan to grow Mitchell as a model neighborhood school. Under her leadership, Mitchell Elementary was recognized for achieving one of the district’s highest growth scores in 2017-18 and for moving up one overall tier on the School District of Philadelphia’s 2016-17 School Progress Report.
Stephanie has been an educator since 1998. Prior to becoming a principal, Stephanie served as a professional development coordinator with the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Effectiveness, dean of students, instructional coach, and 8th grade English/social studies teacher. In 2018, Stephanie received the Urban League of Philadelphia’s Centennial Award. Stephanie grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School.
Mark Vitvitsky was named Assistant Superintendent of School Performance in 2024, 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).
Mark has been an educator since 2006. Prior to becoming a principal, Mark served as a middle school social studies and ELA teacher and 7th grade lead teacher. Mark grew up in Newark and Summit, New Jersey.
Chuanika serves as a Principal Coach for the School District of Philadelphia. In this role, she provides coaching and professional development to school leaders. Previously, Chaunika served as the principal of James Logan School from 2009 – 2021. Under Chuanika’s leadership, Logan increased the number of students attending 95% of days or more by 7% during the 2017-2018 school year, decreased the number of students scoring in the below basic category in 4th grade ELA, and increased student achievement in 5th grade math. The school won top awards for student participation in the district’s annual technology fair every year since 2015. In 2012, Logan was recognized as a Best Practice School for Safety and Climate. Logan is a Mayor’s Office of Education designated Community School.
Chuanika has been an educator since 1999. Prior to becoming a principal, Chuanika served as an elementary and middle school teacher, teacher leader, and assistant principal. She also served as principal of Penn Wood Middle School where student achievement grew in math and reading in the PSSA assessment. Chuanika is a recipient of the Senate of Pennsylvania’s Certificate of Recognition and Ruth Hayre Service Award and a nominee for the Lindback Distinguished Principal Award. Chuanika grew up in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts.
Susan has served as the principal of Richmond Elementary School since 2012. Under Susan’s leadership, proficient/advanced scores on the Pennsylvania System for School Assessment PSSA increased in English Language Arts (ELA) from 38.9% to 42.8% and in math from 22.6% to 26.7%. In 2017-2018, 50% of students were reading on level – the highest in Network 5. On the School Progress Report (SPR), the Overall score moved from Intervene (2016-2017) to Watch category (2017-2018). On the 2018-2019 SPR, Richmond’s Overall SPR score increased 4 additional percentage points, with a significant improvement in its Climate score (from 47.7% in 2017-18 to 71% 2018-19) moving Climate into the SPR Reinforce category.
In June 2017, Richmond received the Philly Aims Award of Excellence for outstanding support for students with autism. During the 2016-2017 academic year, Richmond implemented a program for school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. In 2018-2019 Richmond received the School Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Fidelity of Implementation Award, School partners include Merakey, The Food Trust, Northeast Treatment Center (NET), Girl Scouts, Girls on the Run, Let Me Run, and the Kimmel Center.
Susan has been an educator since 1992. Prior to becoming a principal, Susan served as a teacher and assistant principal. As of 2020, Susan sits on the Principal Advisory Committee for Learning Network 5. Susan grew up in Philadelphia and attended Little Flower Catholic High School.
Donna Ragsdale was appointed Assistant Superintendent of School Performance for the Acceleration Network in 2024, 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).
Under Donna’s leadership, the school also achieved four straight years of improvement on the district’s School Progress Report (SPR). Prince Hall also improved student attendance, increasing students with 95% attendance from 38% to 48%. In 2018-19 Prince Hall had zero students with in-school suspensions and 98.6% of students had no out-of-school suspensions. In addition, the school was a winner of the district’s Mad Breakfast Challenge for increasing the school’s breakfast participation rate from 46% to 89%.
Donna has been an educator since 1998. Prior to becoming a principal, Donna served as an elementary and middle school teacher, school-based math teacher leader, and dean of students. She also served as principal of James Alcorn School. Donna served on the Neighborhood Network VI Principal Advisory Board from 2018 to 2020. Donna grew up in Philadelphia and attended Murrell Dobbins High School.
Melissa serves as the Head of Schools for KIPP Philadelphia Schools. Previously, she served as the principal of KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy from 2016 to 2023. The school recently achieved two straight years of overall improvement in the school district’s School Progress Report. KIPP DuBois partners with Summer Search and Philadelphia Bicycle Club.
Melissa has been an educator since 2008. Prior to becoming a principal, Melissa served as a high school English teacher and assistant principal. Melissa grew up in Andrews, South Carolina.
Lauren has served as the principal of Penn Alexander School since 2020. Previously, Lauren served at William M. Meredith School since 2016. Meredith received the 2018 National Blue Ribbon for School Excellence, a distinguished award for schools where students achieve high learning standards or make notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. During 2017-2018, Meredith saw growth in students scoring proficient/advanced on the PSSA and students attending 95% or more of the school year. In addition, the Philadelphia Inquirer recognized Meredith for the school’s unwavering support for LGBTQ students.
Lauren has been an educator since 2009. Prior to becoming a principal, Lauren served as a middle school ELA teacher and social studies teacher, intervention coordinator, and theatre director. In 2017, Lauren was recognized by Billy Penn’s Who’s Next in Education: Top 14 Educators under 40 in Philadelphia. Lauren grew up in Allentown and Royersford, Pennsylvania and Clinton, Maryland.
Emily now serves as a consultant for Mastery Charter Schools and an adjunct professor at Heidlberg University, Germany. Emily served as the principal of Mastery Charter School – Thomas Elementary from 2016 t0 2020. Serving a diverse student body, Mastery Thomas is proud to provide culturally relevant programming and offer an array of enrichment courses, after-school opportunities, and community partnerships. Recognized by the School District of Philadelphia as one of the top elementary schools in the city for academic growth, Mastery Thomas is also part of the Schools That Can network. The school achieved dramatic increases in mathematics and reading for grades 3-6 on the Pennsylvania System for School Assessment (PSSA). In math, students scoring proficient/advanced increased from 13% in 2015 to 28% in 2018. In reading, students scoring basic or above grew from 75% in 2015 to 88% in 2018. For the 2018-19 school year Mastery Thomas was recognized with the School Progress Report (SPR) Peer Leader Award and received the 2019-2020 Title 1 Distinguished Honors Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Emily has been an educator since 2009. Prior to becoming a principal, Emily served as an elementary school teacher, special education case manager, assistant principal of specialized services, and assistant principal of instruction. In fall 2022, she begin a PhD program at NYU in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, participating in the IES-PIRT Fellowship at NYU and assisting with aligned research projects. Emily grew up in Rochester, NY.
Shavonne became the principal of Vaux Big Picture High School in summer 2019. In the first year of Shavonne’s leadership, Vaux increased the percentage of students obtaining internships from 45% to 70%. Previously, Shavonne served as the principal of Memphis Street Academy from 2017 to 2019. During her tenure, the School District of Philadelphia recognized Memphis Street Academy for demonstrating model growth on PSSA/PVAAS data and among its English language learner and special education populations.
Shavonne has been an educator since 2005. Prior to becoming a principal, Shavonne served as a school-based teacher leader, department chair, and instructional dean. Shavonne also served as principal at Foundation Collegiate Academy where she raised the graduation rate from 88% to 96%, maintained 100% student acceptance rate to four-year colleges for three consecutive years, and increased teacher retention from 54% to 85%. In 2009, Shavonne received a Lindback Teacher of the Year Award. Shavonne grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Joshua currently serves as a Principal in the Upper Moreland School District, PA. He previously served as the principal of Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School from 2016-2021. Under Joshua’s leadership, Lankenau received recognition for growth in Keystone Performance, experienced a nearly 20% increase in students attending 95% or more, and as of 2020, the school has experienced three years of positive School Progress Report (SPR) growth. The school was recognized for having 100% of its Class of 2017 graduate and is a recipient of the Heart of America – Week of Possibilities and Aspen Challenge – Impact awards. Lankenau received Middle States Accreditation in 2020 and is a Pennsylvania Title 1 Distinguished School.
Joshua has been an educator since 2005. Prior to becoming a principal, Joshua served as a social studies teacher, roster chair, and dean of students. In 2013, Joshua was a recipient of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching. Joshua grew up in Dresher, PA.
Letisha serves as the Senior Program Officer for Elevate 215. Previously, Letisha was the Regional Schools Officer for Mastery Charter elementary schools. Before that, Letisha served as the principal of Mastery Charter School – Cleveland for seven years. Under Letisha’s leadership, the school achieved three straight years of improvement on the district’s School Progress Report. Mastery Cleveland is a recipient of a Maurice Romy Foundation Technology Grant. While serving as Cleveland’s principal, Letisha received the Student Achievement Above All – Principal Award.
Letisha has been an educator since 2005. Prior to becoming a principal, Letisha served as an elementary, middle, and high school teacher, special education teacher, teacher coach, testing coordinator, and assistant principal. She received the Nathaniel Allison Murray Education Award from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and multiple awards for student achievement and school leadership from Mastery Charter Schools. Letisha grew up in Philadelphia and attended Philadelphia High School for Girls.
David has served as the principal of Bayard Taylor Elementary School since 2014. The School District of Philadelphia recognized Taylor Elementary for achieving significant growth on the School Progress Report (SPR) at the end of the 2016-2017 school year. Under David’s leadership, Taylor increased the SPR score from 10% in 2014-2015 to 28% in 2017-2018. Taylor has had four years of consecutive growth on the SPR beginning in 2015.
David has been an educator since 1993. Prior to becoming a principal, David served as an elementary school teacher, special education teacher, special education director, and assistant principal. He also served as principal of Bell Avenue Elementary School for three years and the International School of Bahia in Brazil for one year. David grew up in Philadelphia and attended Germantown Friends School.
Kelly became the principal of Christ the Teacher Catholic School in 2023. Previously, Kelly served as the principal of Sacred Heart Academy of Louisville, St. Martin De Porres School, and West Catholic Preparatory High School (2017-2020). Under her leadership, West Catholic HS school received a $300,000 grant from Philadelphia School Partnership for school turn-around work with The New Teacher Project. West Catholic also became a finalist for the Lemelson-MIT Grant of up to $10,000 to help high school students, educators, and mentors invent technological solutions to real-world problems of their own choosing.
Kelly has been an educator since 1999. Prior to becoming a principal, Kelly served as a 7th and 8th grade teacher, director of education for the Women’s Christian Alliance, assistant principal of academics and student affairs for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and a high school English teacher. Kelly grew up in Philadelphia and attended Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls.
Peter serves as the principal of Mastery Charter Thomas Elementary School , but previously served as the principal at Master Charter High from 2019 – 2023. In his first year of principal at Thomas High School, student retention increased from 91% to 96% and student median growth on the NWEA Map (a nationally normed test) increased 24 percentiles. Further, the school increased the percentage of students with average daily attendance of 90% or higher from 73.3% to 76.5%, increased the Median Conditional Growth percentile on Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) measure of academic progress (MAP) reading from the 45th to 56th percentile, and increased the Median Conditional Growth percentile on NWEA MAP math from the 39th to 76th percentile.
Prior to his role at Thomas, Peter was principal at Mastery Simon Gratz – Lower School (2012-2019). Under Peter’s leadership, Gratz was the third highest-rated comprehensive, open-enrollment high school in Philadelphia according to Pennsylvania’s 2015-2016 School Performance Profile. In 2013-2014, Gratz achieved the largest increase of any Philadelphia school on Pennsylvania’s school rating system. From 2011 to 2018, the school doubled Keystone proficiency rates in algebra, biology, and literature, and increased student attendance from 77% to 90%. These are tremendous gains considering that the school was one of the lowest-rated schools in the city and was on Pennsylvania’s persistently dangerous school list in 2010-11, prior to Peter’s arrival.
Peter has been an educator since 2006. Prior to becoming a principal, Peter served as a middle school math and science teacher and assistant principal. Peter grew up in Buffalo, New York.
Rebecca has served as the principal of Eliza B. Kirkbride School since 2015. Under Rebecca’s leadership, the School District of Philadelphia named Kirkbride a peer leader for three years in a row based on its accomplishments on the School Progress Reports (SPR). These accomplishments included increasing the school’s Progress score by 35%. In 2017-2018, the school met or exceeded growth targets on the state assessment (PSSA) in both math and literacy for grades 5-8. Kirkbride was recognized as a National Title One School in 2016.
Rebecca has been an educator since 2004. Prior to becoming a principal, Rebecca served as a high school Spanish teacher and instructional coach for Teach for America. In 2019 she was honored with the Lindback Distinguished Principal Award. Rebecca grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Anna has served as the principal of Alexander Adaire School since 2013. Under Anna’s leadership, Adaire received a certificate of achievement for most improved in ELA on the PSSA during the 2016-17 school year. That same year, Adaire was one of two schools in its Learning Network that achieved all four district anchor goals. Anna received a Principal Achievement Award during the 2015-2016 academic year for Adaire’s achievement in math education.
Anna has been an educator since 1988. Prior to becoming a principal, Anna served as a teacher and assistant principal. She also served as principal at Cook-Wissahickon School and Southwark School where her accomplishments included increases in attendance and community engagement as well as recognition for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Anna grew up in Philadelphia and attended St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls.
Stephen has served as the principal of St. Malachy Catholic School since 2015. Under Stephen’s leadership, students increased their proficiency in reading and math. In 2016-2017, students achieved 1.5 years of growth on the reading MAP test. 86% of current eighth graders (up from 44% in fifth grade) are on grade level or above in reading. Between 2015 and 2018, students scoring proficient in math grew from 24% to 47%. St. Malachy received grants and donations from the Philadelphia School Partnerships and the Diocesan Education Foundation.
Stephen has been an educator since 1998. Prior to becoming a principal, Stephen served as a middle school teacher, assistant principal, and president of the DePaul Catholic School. Stephen was inducted into the DePaul Catholic School Hall of Fame where he served as a teacher and administrator for 15 years. Stephen grew up in Philadelphia and attended Father Judge High School.
Luke served as the principal of C.C.A. Baldi Middle School from 2015 to 2023. In 2015-2016, Baldi was recognized as a Title 1 Distinguished School and received an overall score of 74 on the School Progress Report, making Baldi the #1 neighborhood middle school in Philadelphia. Under Luke’s leadership, the school increased student performance on the PSSA. Between 2015-16 and 2017-18, proficiency increased from 64% to 68% in ELA and 40% to 47% in math.
Luke has been an educator since 2008. Prior to becoming a principal, Luke served as a team leader for City Year Philadelphia, high school teacher, grade level leader, and instructional coach. Luke grew up in Richmond, Virginia.
