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Natalie joined the Philadelphia Academy School Leaders as a program director in spring 2025. In this role, she oversees Senior Fellow programming and initiatives. Prior to this, she served as a Principal Coach for the School District of Philadelphia. In this role, she provided 1-on-1 coaching and professional development for school leaders, supporting them in articulating their vision, identifying their needs and core values, aligning their inner and outer worlds, setting goals they feel passionate about, and creating plans for their own development. Previously, Natalie served as the principal of George W. Nebinger Elementary from 2017 – 2021. Under Natalie’s leadership, the school achieved major improvements in math and reading proficiency and advancement scores on the PSSAs. The school witnessed a 9.5% increase of students attending school 95% of the time. Nebinger’s teaching staff includes recipients of the Lindback and All Pro Teacher of the Year awards. Nebinger also received grants and donations for a bike safety and helmets program as well as a library revival.
Natalie has been an educator since 2002. Prior to becoming a principal, Natalie served as an elementary school teacher, reading specialist, staff developer, coach, and assistant principal. During the four years she served as the turnaround principal at Cleveland Elementary Mastery Charter School, the school increased math and reading scores and retained 95% of staff. Natalie worked with Paul Bambrick-Santoyo, Chief Schools Officer of Uncommon Schools in New York, on his book entitled “Let’s Get Better Faster.” Natalie grew up in Spring Valley, New York.
Khadijah became the principal of Kennedy C. Crossan School in February 2019. Previously, she served as the principal of Crossroads Academy at Hunting Park since 2016. Crossroads Academy offers small classroom sizes to support students struggling academically and behaviorally in larger neighborhood schools. Under her leadership, Khadijah increased students’ exposure to standards-aligned curriculum and instruction in order to diminish the academic barriers students face when they integrate back into larger schools. Crossroads Academy sets academic and behavioral growth goals for each student every year. Each year, 65% of students increase their instructional reading levels 1 – 2 years above their baseline, and 92% of students no longer demonstrate disruptive behaviors that initially caused their enrollment. Crossroads Academy has major partnerships with P.A.T.H. – Behavioral Support Services, Take the Lead Dance project, and Devereux through a P.B.I.S. grant.
Khadijah has been an educator since 2004. Prior to becoming principal, she served as an elementary and middle school teacher and assistant principal. Khadijah grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
Rebecca is currently developing the instructional program for an innovative secondary charter school, and she’s part of the founding team working on its partnerships and operations. Previously, Rebecca served as the Middle School Principal (2012-19) and K-8 Principal (2019-23) of the Fernhill Campus of Wissahickon Charter School (WCS). WCS’s curriculum and school culture emphasize the environment, service learning, peace and conflict resolution, and family involvement. Under Rebecca’s leadership, WCS-Fernhill Campus achieved dramatic increases in students earning proficient or advanced on the language arts section of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), and almost no students earning a score below basic. Furthermore, nearly half of 8th graders earned proficient or advanced on the PSSA’s science section.
When Rebecca was the Middle School Director, the Fernhill Campus ranked 1st-4th of all Philadelphia peer schools on the Language Arts PSSAs, in the top half in Math and #1 in Science. Additionally, in 2014, Rebecca supported the opening of the WCS-Awbury Campus.
Rebecca has been an educator since 1998. Prior to becoming a principal, Rebecca served as a teacher in middle school and high school English, social studies, and humanities; instructional coach; education program manager; and education consultant. During her last year teaching high school students at Mastery Charter School, students chose Rebecca as the teacher honored by the graduating class. Rebecca grew up in North Haven, Connecticut.
Gianeen has served as the principal of James G. Blaine School since 2008. Under her leadership, Blaine achieved 76% growth on standardized assessments and progress towards graduation in 2016-17. The school recently implemented a school-wide positive behavior support program. In 2014, Blaine received a $1.5 million grant for school transformation from the Philadelphia School Partnership.
Gianeen has been an educator since 1999. Prior to becoming a principal, Gianeen served as a middle school teacher, dean of students, and assistant principal. She is a mentor for PhillyPLUS residents and a graduate of the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education Program for Administrators (NAATE). Gianeen grew up in Stratford, Connecticut.
Sue has served as the principal of George Washington High School since 2016. Under her leadership, George Washington High School achieved a 6.8% increase in Algebra I Keystone scores, a 6.2% increase in Biology Keystone scores, a 5.1% increase in ELA Keystone scores, and a significant increase in students who report that they felt safe. George Washington High School is steadily increasing enrollment of students from its catchment. For school year 2019-20, 79% of 9th grade students were on track to graduate and moved to 10th grade and 74% of 10th grade students were on track to graduate and moved to 11th grade. This represents a 14% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 93% of George Washington students who took the Marketing NOCTI passed, and 90% of students in Culinary passed the NOCTI. Over the course of two years during the COVID pandemic, seven George Washington High School students earned the IB diploma.
Sue has been an educator since 1995. In 2012, Sue served as a founding principal of Freire Charter Middle School. Prior to becoming a principal, Sue served as 7th and 8th grade science teacher, biology and psychology high school teacher, executive director at Breakthrough Los Angeles, guidance counselor and dean of students. In 2018 Sue was honored by State Representative Martine White as the Pennsylvania Woman of the Year. Sue was also the 2011 winner of a silver EPIC award for notable academic gains for students. In 2022, she won the Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals, and Sue currently serves on the Learning Network 4 Equity Team. She grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire.
ShaVon is currently serving as an Assistant Superintendent for the Cheltenham School District. ShaVon is also the founder and Managing Member of Mosaic School Support Solutions, which works to develop school leaders’ proficiency and confidence as operational managers to clear the way for a fierce focus on student learning. Prior to this, she served as Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services and Deputy Chief of the Office of Specialized Services for the School District of Philadelphia.
From 2016 to 2020, ShaVon was the principal of Henry C. Lea Elementary School in West Philadelphia. Under her leadership, Lea School was recognized for achieving the highest four-year growth on the School Progress Report (SPR) across the District. During her tenure, Lea School decreased the number of students that scored Below Basic on the English/Language Arts, Math and Science Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSAs) from 2016 to 2018. Lea School also had notable growth in its Progress and Climate SPR scores while ShaVon was principal. Additionally, during her tenure, the Lea School expanded its relationship with the University of Pennsylvania as a Partnership School, and received multiple grants under her leadership.
ShaVon has been an educator since 2000. Prior to becoming a principal, ShaVon served as a middle and high school teacher, a district-level student support and special education administrator, and a public finance and school law attorney. She is currently an adjunct professor at Temple University.
Jeannine is currently serving as the principal of Strawberry Mansion High School. She served as the principal of Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School from 2021 to 2024. Prior to serving as the Principal of Masterman, Jeannine was Principal at Richard Wright Elementary School (2015-2021). Under her leadership, Richard Wright became a Mayor’s Office of Education designated Community School, moved from “Intervene” to “Watch” on the School Progress Report (SPR) and was recognized by Great Philly Schools as a school of High Academic Growth with a three-year average growth index in English/Language Arts.
Jeannine has been an educator since 1999. Prior to becoming a principal, Jeannine served as high school teacher, small learning community coordinator, and high school assistant principal. Jeannine also received the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Distinguished Leadership Award in 2017. Jeannine grew up in Philadelphia and attended Central High School (251!).
Margaux has served as the principal of Mastery Charter School – Pickett Campus since 2016. Under her leadership, Mastery Pickett achieved a 24-point increase on the School Progress Report (SPR) overall score for the middle school, a 25-point increase on the high school SPR overall score, and has been rated as Significantly Exceeding Standard for Pennsylvania Academic Growth, measured by the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS) in Biology and Literature. In 18-19 the school achieved a 5% increase in 8th grade science scores measured by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and since 2018 students attending school 90% or more days grew by 14%. Mastery Pickett has increased student retention by 3% since 2018 and has consistently achieved a 4-year graduation rate of 100%. Master Picket was also identified as a “Beating the Odds” school, named one of the top 35 schools for growth of Black/Brown students in the lowest socioeconomic quartile by study by PSP.
Margaux has been an educator since 2006. Prior to becoming a principal, Margaux served as high school math teacher, 9th grade village lead teacher, recruitment coordinator, content specialist, learning team leader, summer program coordinator teacher, and assistant principal of instruction. Margaux grew up in Columbus, Ohio.
As Leader Coach for Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders, Jovan provides coaching for school and system leaders as they participate in the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders programs. Previously, she served as the principal of Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP) from 2018 to 2023. Under her leadership, GAMP’s implementation of Restorative Practice increased student attendance for students attending 95% of days or more and maintained suspensions at 99% of students not being suspended. GAMP increased the number of 9th grade students that are on track to graduation by 12.4% and increased Science achievement on the Pennsylvania System of State Assessment (PSSA) by 9% in 2019. In 2021, GAMP was named a Blue Ribbon School for Excellence.
Jovan has been an educator since 2008. Prior to becoming a principal, Jovan served as assistant principal, a biology and environmental science teacher, and an incentive team leader for the Department of Labor grant to increase student attendance and overall participation in school. Jovan also received the Diplomas Now Middle School Principal of the Year award. Jovan grew up in Cincinnati, OH.
Cheshonna has served as the School Leader of KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Charter Middle School since 2015. Under her leadership, KIPP West demonstrated impressive academic growth over a three-year period in both math and reading, as measured by the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS).
Cheshonna has been an educator since 2002. Prior to becoming a school leader, Cheshonna served as an elementary school teacher for many years with Baltimore City Public Schools as well as with Delaware School District before joining KIPP Philadelphia Schools. In 2009, she joined the founding team of KIPP West Philadelphia Prep as the founding math teacher. Cheshonna grew up in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls.
Meredith has served as the principal of Andrew J. Morrison Elementary School since 2018. Under her leadership, Kindergarten-2nd grade students reading at Tier 1, as measured by AimswebPLUS, increased 18.1% in one year. Morrison’s Pennsylvania System for School Assessment (PSSA) scores increased 4% in English Language Arts (ELA) and the school’s Overall School Progress Report (SPR) score increased by 5%. Further, Morrison’s average daily attendance increased 4%, serious incidents decreased 4%, and staff attendance increased by 6% since 2018.
In 2018, Meredith kicked off a rigorous strategic planning process called Morrison 2028, a community-informed strategic planning process that is asking questions, gathering data, and sharing ideas to create a vision for Morrison in 2028–the year that the 2018 Kindergarten class will graduate from 8th grade. Under her leadership, the percentage of students testing at or above grade level in literacy, from the first administration of the STAR assessment in fall 2021 to the winter 2 assessment in March 2022, rose from 11% to 65.2% (kindergarten); from 6% to 41% (1st grade); from 11% to 44% (2nd grade); from 15% to 22% (3rd grade); from 13% to 23% (4th grade); from 14% to 35% (5th grade); and from 9% to 18% (6th grade). In spring 2022, Morrison was identified as one of the top 36 Philadelphia public and public charter schools (K-8) “Beating the Odds” in academic growth while serving low-income, Black and brown student communities, according to a longitudinal study on student outcomes commissioned by Philadelphia School Partnership (PSP).
Meredith has been an educator since 2009. Prior to becoming a principal, Meredith served as 6th grade math teacher, program manager at City Year, teacher development coach, school leader, and leadership coach for PhillyPLUS. Meredith is a 2020-2021 member of the the Equity Task Force for Learning Network 7. Meredith grew up in Philadelphia and attended Central High School.
Kwand serves as a Leadership Coach for The School District of Philadelphia. In this role, he provides coaching and resources to District Leaders. Previously, he served as the principal of Gilbert Spruance Elementary School for 10 years. Under his leadership, Spruance achieved a 22% decrease in the number of students scoring Below Basic in reading on the Pennsylvania System of State Assessment (PSSA). Additionally, 2021-2022 STAR data shows 9% growth in math, going from 9% in the fall to 18% in the spring, while reading grew from 22% to 28%. Spruance Elementary School received the 2018 Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Strides in School Climate. The school scored as a Model in the Student Progress category on the 2019 Student Progress Report (SPR). Overall, the Spruance SPR has grown from 20% in 2016-2017 to 59% in 2018-2019 and has been featured in the Philadelphia Tribune.
Kwand has been an educator since 1996. Prior to becoming a principal, Kwand served as middle years math teacher, math teacher coach, and national training facilitator. Kwand serves as the Recording Secretary of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity – Nu Sigma Chapter and has received the fraternity’s George Hibbler Social Action Award, the Phi Beta Sigma International & Regional Education Award and the Brother of the Year & Future Leaders Award from. In 2019 Kwand was nominated by his staff and awarded the Dr. Robert Poindexter Award, for dedication to students and their quality of education. A Philadelphia native, Kwand attended Philadelphia schools save for 4th and 5th grade, when he attended school in his father’s hometown of St. Augustine, FL. He graduated from Philadelphia’s Carver High School for Engineering & Science.
Ariel has served as a School District of Philadelphia Assistant Superintendent since May 2020.
He previously served 14 schools in South and Southwest Philadelphia. Under his leadership, that network saw a 10 percentage point student participation increase in STAR assessments and an 8 percentage point increase in STAR Reading/Early Literacy and Math assessments. His implementation of network-specific biweekly/monthly common assessment led to a 1.3 increase in ELA TDA responses, and his implemention of professional development on the math curriculum led to a 1.0 increase in the math rubric score network-wide. Ariel also had a key role in leading school principals in a book study on Courageous Conversations About Race that increased leader participation from 35% to 100% by its completion. He also more than doubled leader participation in LatinX affinity groups and People of Color Equity Coalition meetings between the start and end of the 2021-2022 academic year.
Previously, Ariel served as principal of Honorable Luis Muñoz-Marín Elementary School (2016-2020). Under his leadership, Muñoz-Marín increased the number of students earning Proficient or Advanced on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) from 10% to 25%. During his tenure, Muñoz-Marín also received the Accelerated Improvement Award for two two academic school years and the Exemplary Three Consecutive Years of School Progress Report (SPR) Growth Award in 2019 for moving up one tier in SPR scores for two consecutive years.
Ariel has been an educator since 2006. Prior to becoming Assistant Superintendent, Ariel served as 1st and 5th grade teacher, director of instruction/behavior, dean of students, assistant principal and principal. Ariel grew up in New York and, after relocating to Philadelphia, attended Jay Cooke Elementary and Olney High School.
Cassandra has served as the principal of Ethan B. Allen Elementary School since 2013. Under her leadership, Ethan B. Allen Elementary School moved up from “Watch” to “Reinforce” in 2018 on the School Progress Report (SPR). In the last three years, Ethan Allen has increased its overall SPR score by 9%. For four years, students in all sections of the Pennsylvania System of State Assessment (PSSA) demonstrated growth by 5%. Ethan Allen received student attendance awards every year from 2014-2018
Cassandra has been an educator since 1998. Prior to becoming a principal, Cassandra served as assistant principal, school-based instructional support teacher/leader, school growth teacher, middle school dean, math and literacy teacher, and intern. Cassandra received the Personal Perfect Attendance Awards from 2014-2018, the Dedication to the Profession award in 2014 and 2015, and was nominated by school leadership team for the Lindback Award in 2017. Cassandra grew up in Georgetown, SC.
Todd has served as the principal of Horatio B. Hackett School since 2015. Under his leadership, Horatio B. Hackett School has achieved continued growth on the School Progress Report (SPR) since 2017. The school’s SPR Overall score increased from 15% to 67%. English/Language Arts scores increased 13%, math scores increased 5%, and science scores increased 14%. Hackett was also selected by the Philadelphia Eagles and Mural Arts for the 2018 Eagles Playground build.
Todd has been an educator since 2007. Prior to becoming a principal, Todd served as 6th grade learning support teacher, 5th grade special education inclusion teacher, K-3 learning support, 2nd grade teacher, and 5th grade teacher. Todd is a recipient of 2019 Lindback Award for Distinguished Leadership and currently sits on the board of directors for the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC). Todd grew up in Philadelphia and attended Northeast High School.
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.
Omar has served as the principal of Northeast High School since 2018. Under his leadership, Northeast High School was named as a Best High School in Pennsylvania 2019, 2020, and 2021 by U.S. News and World Reports and achieved a 1st Place Student Finisher at the All-State Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences Fair in 2019. The school also earned a 2019 Breakout High School Award for Computer Science from CS4Philly and a 2019 Best in Class Award from the American Red Cross. Northeast High School students are also 2019 Public League Champions in Girls Lacrosse, Football, Wrestling, Cheerleading, and Boys and Girls Track & Field.
Omar has been an educator since 2003. Prior to becoming a principal, Omar served as secondary social studies teacher, dean of students, social studies department chair, small learning community leader, teacher mentor and an assistant principal. Omar received numerous awards such as the Most Data Driven Administrator Award from School District of Philadelphia, the Outstanding Educator of the Year from Meeker Middle School PTSA, Coach of the Year Award for the Seamount League, and the Mount Rainier High School Employee Recognition Award. In 2022, he won a Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Philadelphia Outward Bound School and the Board of Directors for Philadelphia Futures, and he is an honorary committee member for PATH@1919. Omar grew up in Toppenish, WA.
Leah currently serves as the principal of Joseph Greenberg School. Prior to this, she served as the principal of Stephen Girard Elementary School from 2017 to 2024. Under her leadership, Girard Elementary received recognition for a two-tier Overall improvement on its 2018-19 School Progress Report (SPR). In addition, Girard achieved a 34.4% increase in the number of students at target in AIMSweb, a 100% rate of students with zero out-of-school suspensions, and a 10% increase in the number of 4th grade students attending school 95% of the time. In 2019-20 Stephan Girard increased in the number of English Learners who met their annual growth targets by 19%. In 2018-2019 the school achieved a 13% improvement of 4th graders proficient/advanced in Science on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (52.5%) as well as exceeded the state growth standard (70) and growth scores (75) on the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System (PVAAS) in ELA (score 78), math (score 100) and science (score 78) for all student groups.
Leah has been an educator since 2004. Prior to becoming a principal, Leah served as a 2nd grade teacher, reading coordinator and intervention teacher, and a professional learning specialist with the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Teaching and Learning. Leah was recognized as a School District of Philadelphia Bright Spot by Dr. Hite for excellence in instruction and dedication to the profession. Leah grew up in Philadelphia and attended J.R. Masterman School.
Pauline has served as the principal of Francis Scott Key School since 2016. Under her leadership, Key exhibited substantial double-digit improvements in the 2022-2023 Pennsylvania State Standardized Assessment (PSSA) results, achieving a noteworthy increase of +10.7% in English Language Arts (ELA) and +10.85% in Math. Additionally, Cheung recorded a commendable year-over-year growth of 6.9% in 4th-grade Science PSSA data. This adds to a long history of growth, Key having increased its School Progress Report (SPR) Overall scores from 31% in 2016-17 (Watch category) to 61% in 2017-18 (Reinforce category). In 2018-19, the SPR Overall score increased again to 64% and the Progress category also increased, moving from 16% (Intervene) up two categories to 75% (Model). For the 2019-20 school year, Key increased progress by another 8% for a score of 83%. The 2019-20 Climate category score was 91% and has been consistently in the Model category. Additionally, Kindergarten-2nd grade students who are reading on grade level increased by 7% moving from 32% to 39%. In 2018 Key achieved a 21.4% decrease in students scoring Below Basic and a 22.4% increase in students scoring Proficient or Advanced on the 6th grade English Language Arts Pennsylvania System of State Assessment (PSSA). For For the 2017-2018 school year Key received a Certificate of Excellence for Highest School Progress Report Score and Growth in Learning Network 12 from the School District of Philadelphia. Under Pauline’s leadership, Key implemented a breakfast program in the 2017-2018 school year that resulted in increased attendance and breakfast participation. Key has also received the Lang Lang Key of Inspiration Grant that resulted in a Piano Lab for Key students.
Pauline is a 2021 Lindback Award for Distinguished Leadership Honoree. Recently, Key served as a host school for a site visit for the 2023 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference, highlighting the school’s work on student and family wellness, bridging classroom and community, family engagement, and outdoor environment.
Pauline has been an educator since 2002. Prior to becoming a principal, Pauline served as Multilingual Manager for the Office of Multilingual Curriculum and Programs (School District of Philadelphia), ESOL teacher for grades K-6, itinerant ESOL teacher for grades K-12, 6th grade teacher, English language learner school growth specialist, and English teacher for primary grades (K-6) in Hong Kong, China. Pauline grew up in Philadelphia and attended George Washington High School
Aliya has served as the principal of Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School since 2018. Under her leadership, Bethune’s Kindergarten through 2nd grade students increased the number of students reading on grade level by 12%. To support her mission of giving students access and agency, Aliya has formed partnerships and fortified others. Under her leadership Bethune has become a pilot school for the Middle School Career and Technical Education programming in Urban Agriculture and Health Related Services. Bethune is a Blended Learning, Trauma Informed (in partnership with Temple University), Community focused (with Lenfest/North10) school. Bethune has also received the Eastern Region Usher’s Association Reading Award.
Aliya has been an educator since 1999. Prior to becoming a principal, Aliya served as an assistant principal, an adjunct professor, middle school teacher, content specialist and Gear Up Instructional Support Officer and Literacy Specialist, and curriculum writer for the School District of Philadelphia. Aliya received the Distinguished Administrator’s Award from Read to Succeed, Inc and received the Administrator of Year Award in 2018 from Community and Schools (South Philadelphia High School). She currently serves as a Board Member for the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, CUA 1 & 7.
Aliya grew up in Philadelphia and attended William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs.
Jason has served as the principal of Cayuga Elementary School since 2014. Under his leadership, Cayuga was the first school to successfully exit the “Turnaround” network after the 2015-2016 school year and was recognized by the Pennsylvania Positive Behavioral Support (PAPBS) Implementers Forum for sustained implementation of Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports at Universal (Tier 1) with fidelity after the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years.
Jason has been an educator since 2004. Prior to becoming a principal, Jason served as a high school mathematics teacher, ninth grade academy team leader and roster chair. Jason is a 2012 recipient of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching, and the 2016 EDDY AWARD Star Commitment to Education given by The Philadelphia Education Fund. Jason grew up in Philadelphia and attended Carver High School of Engineering and Science.
Rob is the interim Chief Financial Officer for Somerville Public Schools, a role he began in spring 2025. After 18 years as a teacher and administrator, Rob returned full-time to the classroom–as a student! He earned his Doctor of Education Leadership (EdLD) at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
Prior to pursuing his doctorate, Rob served as the principal of William H. Ziegler Elementary (2016-2022). In collaboration with his amazing staff, Ziegler achieved some of the highest benchmark growth in the district (top 20 in reading and math) in 2018. Additionally, since 2018, Ziegler has achieved Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment Scores (PVAAS) in the top quartile in the state and district. From 2016-17 to 2018-19 the Ziegler School Progress Report (SPR) score improved from 14% to 51%, moving the school from Intervene to Reinforce. Under Robert’s leadership, Ziegler received a $50,000 Good to Great Grant to improve the K-3 literacy program, a Blended Learning grant, a WHYY Media Lab grant, a Climate Transition Award, and the Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports grant. Despite all these accomplishments, Rob still believes Ziegler has a lot of work to do to become the Blue Ribbon school its students and families deserve.
An educator since 2004, Rob served as a 2nd- and 5th-grade bilingual teacher, a 6th- and 7th-grade English/Language Arts teacher, and a literacy director, and in 2019, he started serving on the Principal Advisory Board. Rob grew up in Philadelphia and attended Hatboro-Horsham High School.
Joanne serves as the principal of Girard Academic Music Program(GAMP). Previously, she was the principal at Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) from 2015 – 2023. Under her leadership, CAPA decreased serious incidents and drastically reduced out of school suspensions. As a result, CAPA received the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Award for improving student achievement.
Joanne began her career as an educator since 1988. Prior to becoming a principal, Joanne served as school-based teacher-leader, and principal resident in the Academy of Leadership for Philadelphia Schools (ALPS). Joanne is a recipient of the Rose Lindenbaum Excellence in School Improvement Award, the Lindback Award for excellence in education, and the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators Beyond the Call of Duty Award. Joanne was inducted into the Northeast High School Hall of Fame. Joanne grew up in Philadelphia and attended Northeast High School.
Latanya leads the Neubauer Fellowship and Senior Fellow (alumni) programming at the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders. Latanya previously served as the principal of Mastery Charter Harrity Elementary School. Under her leadership, Harrity’s kindergarten through second grade reading proficiency increased by 18%. Harrity was also recognized by the School District of Philadelphia for two tiers of growth on the School Progress Report (SPR). In 2018-19 all student groups exceeded the standard demonstrating growth for English Language Arts (ELA) & Math as measured by the Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System (PVAAS), and in the 2021-2022 school year, Elevate215 named Harrity a Top 36 K-8 school.
Latanya has over 17 years of experience as an educator and leader whose purpose is to ensure that all students have access to excellent schools and equitable opportunities to pursue their dreams. She believes whole-heartedly in developing the whole child and is deeply invested in social emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and initiatives that affirm, empower, and promote the identity of all students.
Latanya grew up in South Jersey and has a passion for traveling all over the world.
Christopher Ziemba serves at the Regional Schools Officer at Mastery Charter Schools serving schools in the Southeast Region. For the last nine years, Chris had the privilege of serving as the Principal at Mastery Charter Lenfest Campus. He led double-digit gains in all state testing areas (PSSA and Keystone) and student attendance rates post-pandemic, and achieved the highest post-graduation direct enrollment rate in the Mastery network (81%).
Christopher has been an educator since 2003. Prior to becoming a principal, Christopher served as a teacher, a special education teacher, a special education case manager and an assistant principal. Christopher has also served as a mentor school leader at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Christopher grew up in Tipp City, OH.
