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Amanda Strain has served as Principal of Alexander Adaire Elementary School since July of 2026. Prior to that, she served as the Principal of Laura W. Waring Elementary School. Under her leadership, Waring achieved a 15.2% increase in PSSA Math scores and a 9.4% increase in PSSA ELA scores since 2022. Additionally, teacher attendance increased by 6.7% since 2022.
Amanda has facilitated significant partnerships, grants, and donations for Waring, including partnering with Friends of Waring to reopen the school library after a 10-year closure. Today, it is a thriving community-led space featuring a diverse collection that reflects students’ interests and identities and fosters a love of reading, staffed by 90 volunteers!
Amanda’s career in education spans 22 years. She has served as a teacher for New York City Public Schools and Wissahickon Charter School from 2004 to 2013, reading specialist/literacy coordinator at Wissahickon Charter School from 2013 to 2018, assistant principal at McClure Elementary School from 2018 to 2021, and principal at Laura W. Waring Elementary School from 2021 to 2026 before assuming her current role.
Amanda grew up in Long Island, New York and is a graduate of Bellport High School.
Elyssa Yuen has served as head of school at Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School since January 2019. She opened the school’s doors to its first class of 156 kindergarten and first grade students in August 2019 and has since overseen the community’s growth from a founding elementary program to a fully enrolled K–7 school community. In the 2026–2027 school year, the school will reach a full projected enrollment of 740 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Under her leadership, Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School earned a five-year charter renewal in 2024, including approval to expand and found a middle school.
Elyssa has secured significant funding to support the school’s growth and instructional vision, including a $1.5 million Public Charter Schools Program grant to support the middle school expansion and a $482,250 grant from the William Penn Foundation’s Certification Strategy initiative, received over 24 months to strengthen teacher certification pathways and educator pipelines.
In addition to her role as head of school, Elyssa serves as a national facilitator for SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), supporting educators across the country in engaging in professional learning focused on equity, identity, and inclusive school communities.
Elyssa’s career in education spans more than 15 years across the city of Philadelphia and brings a deep belief that schools can be powerful spaces for opportunity, belonging, and academic excellence for all students. Prior to her professional career in education, Elyssa completed her K–12 schooling at International Christian School in Hong Kong before returning to the United States for University.
Kristin Williams Smalley has served as principal of the Academies at Roxborough High School since 2022, proudly serving a school community of approximately 499 students with a mission to develop strong college and career competencies that empower students to compete in our global society.
Under her leadership, the Academies at Roxborough High School provides students with opportunities to participate in five Career and Technical Education programs: the Academy of Visual Arts Production including Film and Video Production and Graphic Design, the Academy of Health Sciences and Research including Biotechnology, the Academy of Business, Technology and Entrepreneurship including Business Administration and Marketing, as well as a Kinesiology pathway and a JROTC program.
During her tenure, the school has demonstrated measurable growth in student outcomes. The percentage of students attending 90% or more days improved by 3.8% during the 2024–2025 school year, and the percentage of chronically truant students decreased by 1.6%. Student dropouts decreased from 32 to 8 year over year. During the 2024-2025 school year, STAR Reading results demonstrated growth in at or above benchmark increasing from 18.8% in the fall to 34.4% in the Spring. Consequently, the percentage of students in the intensive intervention decreased from 56.8% to 43.6%. Likewise, Math saw similar milestones. During the 2024-2025 school year, STAR Math results in the at or above benchmark increased from 11.5% in the fall to 29.5% in the Spring.
The school’s STAR Math score was the highest in the network for brick-and-mortar schools. The Career and Technical Education programs at the Academies at Roxborough were honored at the 2025 Accelerate Philly Awards for increased NOCTI proficiency, and a 2025 graduate attained the highest NOCTI score in the film and video production program citywide.
Throughout her career she has served in roles including science teacher, agriculture teacher, teacher leader, instructional specialist, career integration specialist in the Office of Career and Technical Education, assistant principal at Randolph Career and Technical High School and Universal Audenried Charter High School, and principal resident at the Academy at Palumbo High School before assuming her current role. Principal Williams Smalley has a relentless passion for unveiling and nurturing the untapped greatness of the black and brown children of Philadelphia, especially those in our neighborhood/catchment high schools.
Principal Williams Smalley grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Robert E. Lamberton High School.
Megan Wapner has served as principal of James Rhoads Elementary School in Philadelphia since 2020. Under her leadership, the school has demonstrated measurable gains in student achievement, engagement, and school climate. Over the past four years, students performing at or above benchmark on the STAR Reading assessment increased by 11%, while those in intensive intervention decreased by 16%. In mathematics, students at or above benchmark on STAR Math increased by 7.6%, and those requiring intensive intervention decreased by 13%. These improvements have been accompanied by gains in student attendance and overall school climate.
Megan is a National Board-Certified Teacher in English Language Arts. Megan has led significant school-based partnerships, including securing $75,000 in funding and support for the Eagles Playground Rebuild, enhancing outdoor learning and recreational spaces for students.
Megan’s career in education began in 1999 in the Chester Upland School District as a sixth grade reading and social studies teacher. She joined Penn Alexander School in Philadelphia in 2002, where she taught English language arts for ten years. She transitioned into leadership as dean of students in 2012, became assistant principal in 2018, and served as interim principal in 2019.
Megan grew up in Media, Pennsylvania and attended Agnes Irwin High School.
Dr. Brian Roy Wallace has served as principal of Parkway Center City Middle College since 2024, bringing over two decades of dedication to educational leadership in Philadelphia.
Under his leadership, the school achieved a 100% graduation rate. Furthermore, over 90% of students scored proficient or advanced on the 2025 ELA Keystone exam, and the Class of 2025 received over $44 million in scholarships for the 2026 school year.
Dr. Wallace has served as principal of Parkway Center City Middle College, Meredith School, Elkins Park Middle School, and Morton McMichael School. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Wallace is a committed community leader. An Eagle Scout and former Scoutmaster of Troop 358, he is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
A proud Philadelphia native, Dr. Wallace is a graduate of Germantown Lankenau High School.
R. Michelle Torres has served as principal of Isaac A. Sheppard School since 2023, bringing 19 years of experience in the educational and clinical sectors to her leadership. Under her leadership, Sheppard achieved a 16.3 percentage point increase in reading proficiency and a 5.3 percentage point increase in math proficiency. Notably, teacher attendance reached 100% during the 2024–2025 school year, a 36.8 percentage point increase since her arrival.
Michelle secured a grant to fund the Fiesta Schoolyard, a major enhancement to the school’s physical environment. Michelle served as founder of the district-wide Latino/e School Leaders Think Tank, which she established during her principal residency, and recently served on the School Leaders Facilities Advisory Committee to inform the district’s Facilities Master Plan.
Michelle brings a “whole-child” lens to executive leadership. Her career is defined by a nearly two-decade commitment to the School District of Philadelphia, where she has intentionally chosen to serve the same community that shaped her. Her professional foundation includes early career work as a school-based clinician providing students with intensive mental health support, followed by a decade as a school counselor across all K-12 grade bands.
Michelle grew up in North Philadelphia and is a graduate of Central High School.
Susanna Tagoe has served as principal of KIPP North Philadelphia Academy since 2024, leading turnaround efforts across both the elementary and middle schools. Under her leadership, elementary school NWEA MAP Growth scores increased from 25% to 47% in ELA and from 32% to 54% in math. In the middle school, NWEA MAP Growth scores rose from 25% to 55% in ELA and from 32% to 55% in math. Student attendance also improved significantly, with the percentage of students attending at least 90% of school days increasing from 46% in 2024 to 55% in 2025, and the percentage of students attending at least 95% of school days increasing from 18% to 27% during the same period. Chronic absenteeism decreased by 10 percentage points from 54% in 2024 to 45% in 2025, and by 19 percentage points since 2023, prior to the turnaround efforts.
Susanna has been recognized as a Rising School Leader of Color finalist with Teach for America and was accepted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education School Turnaround Leaders Program.
Susanna’s career in education began as a founding kindergarten teacher at Uncommon Schools Camden Prep. She later served as principal of Uncommon Schools Camden Prep, Mt. Ephraim Elementary School. Susanna is deeply committed to transforming school communities into joyful, rigorous, and academically enriching learning environments where all students can thrive.
Susanna grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, and attended Easton Area High School.
Dr. Douglas Strobel has served as principal of Stephen Decatur Elementary School since 2022, bringing over 14 years of experience in education to his leadership. Under his leadership, Stephen Decatur has demonstrated measurable academic and operational growth. Math PSSA scores increased by 10.5% over three school years. Student attendance improved by nearly 12% and teacher attendance improved by over 5% over the same three school years.
Dr. Strobel’s career in education began with City Year Philadelphia, where he facilitated after-school programs and tutored students in small groups. It is there that he developed an understanding of the importance and inequitable nature of student opportunities and the impact an individual can have on a student’s life. That passion led to his involvement in Playworks, an AmeriCorps program supporting organized recess with an emphasis on movement and social-emotional learning. He then joined the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows program and began teaching in January 2011 as an eighth-grade ELA teacher at John Barry School. He has also served in roles including emotional support teacher and special education case manager before becoming the assistant principal at Solis-Cohen Elementary School in 2017.
Dr. Strobel is from Merrill, Wisconsin.
Jacqueline Stewart-Mack has served as principal of Dr. Ethel Allen School since 2022, bringing over 25 years of dedicated experience in urban education to her leadership.
Under her strategic leadership, Dr. Ethel Allen achieved a remarkable turnaround, successfully exiting Comprehensive Support and Intervention status within three years of state monitoring. Under her leadership, STAR Reading Assessment at/above grade level scores increased by 11.4%, STAR Math Assessment at/above grade level scores increased by 3.4%, and the percentage of students attending school 90% or more days increased by 9.4%.
Jacqueline’s career in education began in 1998. Throughout her career she has served in roles including classroom teacher, school-based teacher leader, Title I coordinator, testing coordinator, and assistant principal. Jacqueline spent her formative years watching her mother’s ministry work in underserved communities, where she saw clearly how inadequate conditions and educational disparities limited the potential of those around her. This fueled her mission: to dismantle those barriers and provide every child with an elite educational experience.
Jacqueline Stewart-Mack grew up in Wyncote, PA and is a graduate of Cheltenham High School.
Erica Smith has served as principal of Mastery John Wister Elementary School since 2021, leading over 500 students and 60 teachers and staff. Under her leadership, the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in reading and math has increased significantly. PSSA reading scores have increased approximately three times their baseline, and math scores have increased approximately five times their baseline, while early literacy data reflects an increase of approximately 3.5 times the baseline.
Erica Smith has expanded community partnerships with Philalandmarks, Horizons at Greene Street Friends School, and several special education support agencies to enhance programming and student supports at Wister. She has also secured grants from Foundations, Inc. to expand out-of-school time programming and from the Mastery Fund to install indoor STEM gardens for science classes. Most recently, she secured an additional Mastery Fund grant to support renovations and programming for the John Wister Performing Arts Program
Erica Smith’s career in education began in 2008 and has spanned K–12 schools and classrooms across New York City and Philadelphia. Prior to assuming her current role, she served as a high school principal in Brooklyn for two years, as well as in roles including assistant principal of specialized services, dean of student supports, lead case manager, special education teacher, and chemistry, physics, and biology teacher across New York City and at Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus.
Erica Smith grew up in Hatfield, MA and attended Northfield Mount Hermon School.
Dr. Torrence Rothmiller was appointed principal of Andrew Hamilton School in 2020. Over the last three years of his tenure, Andrew Hamilton’s student attendance improved by 19.1%, teacher attendance improved by 28%, and STAR Assessment Math scores at or above grade level improved by 11.5%.
Dr. Rothmiller has established significant partnerships that directly benefit the Andrew Hamilton school community. Through a partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the school created a community garden that produces fresh produce annually, implemented in-school tutoring, and developed a range of additional student programs. In 2025, he collaborated with Mural Arts Philadelphia and Hamilton alumna Quinta Brunson to install the “Blooming Gardens” mural on the school building.
Dr. Rothmiller was named the recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals in 2024, one of the most prestigious honors in the School District of Philadelphia.
Dr. Rothmiller’s career in education spans over 20 years, beginning in 2004. Throughout his career he has served in roles including 6th–8th Grade emotional support teacher, 6th Grade ELA teacher, 6th Grade math teacher, 6th–8th Grade social studies teacher, and assistant principal.
Dr. Rothmiller was born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of West Catholic High School.
Bianca Reyes has served as principal of Julia de Burgos Elementary School since 2021, bringing over 15 years of experience as an educator deeply committed to equity, community, and high expectations for all students.
Under her leadership, Julia de Burgos Elementary has demonstrated measurable growth in both student outcomes and school climate. Student attendance (students attending 90% or more of instructional days) increased from 37.3% to 49.7%, a gain of 12.4 percentage points. Teacher attendance increased from 71.4% to 80.3%, a gain of 8.9 percentage points, and student dropouts in grades 7–8 were reduced from 2 to 0. Academically, Grade 3 Reading proficiency increased from 11.9% to 22.0%, a gain of 10.1 percentage points, and Grade 3 Math proficiency rose from 3.4% to 9.6%, a gain of 6.2 percentage points. Overall grades 3–8 Math proficiency increased from 3.9% to 5.1%, and grades 4 and 8 Science proficiency nearly doubled from 11.2% to 22.5%, a gain of 11.3 percentage points. The school improved in 12 of 14 eligible district metrics under her leadership.
Prior to becoming principal, she served as assistant principal at John F. Hartranft School and as a special education network case manager for the Office of Diverse Learners. She has also taught both special education and general education students at the elementary and middle school levels. Bianca is a proud product of public education and deeply believes in the power of neighborhood schools to transform lives. Bianca is passionate about representation, equity, and ensuring all students know that their zip code does not determine their destiny. She is committed to increasing Latino representation in school leadership and creating opportunities for students to see themselves reflected in positions of success.
Born and raised in North Philadelphia, PA, Bianca Reyes is a graduate of Thomas Alva Edison High School, the same high school many of her students matriculate to, giving her a personal connection to the community she now serves.
Vance McNear has served as principal of Edwin Forrest Elementary School since 2022. Under his leadership, Forrest Elementary has seen significant academic gains within a Comprehensive Support and Improvement school context. His leadership has resulted in double-digit growth in students performing at or above grade level in ELA, with kindergarten seeing an 11.4% increase and first grade seeing a 12% increase, confirming the strength of Tier 1 instruction, along with a 10% increase in ELA and an 8.9% increase in Math in overall STAR proficiency across the school.
These gains are further reflected in state assessment data, with third grade ELA increasing by 5.2% year over year on the PSSA and grades 3–5 ELA seeing a 2% year-over-year increase. Fourth grade led consistent growth in Math with a 6.5% increase, contributing to an overall 4.3% increase in Math for grades 3–5 on the PSSA. Chronic truancy dropped by 3.3 percentage points, falling from 5.6% to 2.3% of students, while cumulative attendance grew by 4 percentage points year over year among students with 90% or higher attendance.
In recognition of his distinguished leadership, Vance was awarded the 2025–2026 Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals, resulting in a $20,000 grant for school improvement projects. He has also been featured as a guest on the Next Man Up: MCEL Podcast and serves as a recurring guest on Principal Baruti Kafele’s AP and New Principals Academy, bringing his leadership perspective to a national audience.
Vance has secured a major partnership with the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office and obtained over $160,000 in donations and grants to fund vital initiatives for his students.
He serves on the School Leader Facilities Planning Process Committee and as co-facilitator of the Black Male Leaders Think Tank, both within the School District of Philadelphia. He has also completed the 2025 Howard University Superintendent Academy, a certificated executive leadership and fellowship program.
Vance’s career in education spans 19 years within the School District of Philadelphia. Throughout his career he has served in roles including special education teacher, fifth-grade math teacher, technology teacher leader, special education compliance monitor, dean of culture, special-needs instructional specialist for early childhood, and assistant principal.
Vance grew up in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Roman Catholic High School.
Susan H. Lofton has served as principal of Joseph Pennell Elementary School since 2022, bringing 32 years of experience as an educator within the School District of Philadelphia. She is deeply committed to the academic and social-emotional growth of her students and has made professional learning a top priority, fostering a culture where staff are committed to their collective growth and development.
Since assuming leadership at Joseph Pennell, Principal Lofton has overseen significant student achievement gains. PSSA Reading proficiency rose from 16.3% in 2021–2022 to 25.4% in 2024–2025, while PSSA Math proficiency climbed from 5.1% to 16.1% over the same three-year period. In the 2024–2025 school year, third-grade students achieved 33.3% proficiency in Reading and 29.6% in Math, representing year-over-year growth of 16.0 and 20.5 percentage points respectively. Student attendance also increased by 20.9 percentage points, rising from 42.0% to 62.9% during her tenure.
Principal Lofton’s career in education began in 1994 and includes a comprehensive list of roles including elementary teacher, school based instructional specialist, administrative liaison and dean of students, academic math coach, assistant principal, and principal resident. Her leadership is guided by the Native American proverb, “He who learns from one who is learning drinks from a flowing river,” which serves as the foundation for her vision of growing better together.
Principal Lofton grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a proud graduate of Parkway Zeta.
Kristy Len has served as principal of Charles W. Henry School since 2023. Under her leadership, teacher attendance of 90% or more days has increased by 3.3%, PSSA Math proficiency for Grade 3 has increased by 8.2%, PSSA and Keystone Math proficiency for grades 3–8 has increased by 4.7%, and STAR literacy proficiency for grades K–8 has increased by 6.1%. She has also cultivated five new school partnerships, ensuring that all students have access to a well-rounded educational experience, and led Henry’s transition to becoming a Relationships First school focused on restorative practices, which has contributed to a reduction in out-of-school suspensions.
Kristy began her career in education as a Fulbright Teaching Fellow in South Korea, followed by 10 years teaching middle school in public schools in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Returning to Pennsylvania, she served as a coach, curriculum specialist, and assistant principal in the School District of Philadelphia before assuming her current role as principal of Charles W. Henry School in 2023.
Kristy Len grew up in Allentown, PA and attended Parkland High School.
Dr. Benita Jessup has served as principal of Lowell Elementary School since 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience as an inquiry-driven leader committed to accelerating student achievement, strengthening instructional practice, and building equitable school communities.
Under her leadership, Lowell Elementary has demonstrated significant academic and operational growth. Dr. Jessup led the school to earn a PSSA Improvement Award for a 10% year-over-year increase in overall math proficiency on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, along with sustained growth in reading and math across grades 3–4. Teacher attendance increased by 6.4% year over year, representing a 9.4% increase over three years, and student attendance improved, with more learners achieving 90% or higher attendance. Dr. Jessup also launched inaugural boys’ and girls’ mentoring programs to strengthen student identity, engagement, and belonging.
Dr. Jessup has expanded school-community partnerships at Lowell Elementary, including Extended Day and Extended School Year programming in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Education and the Olney Arts Project, providing students with enriched learning opportunities beyond the school day.
Throughout her career, Dr. Jessup has been recognized for her impact on student achievement and community service, including the PSSA Improvement Award (2025), the Community Service Award in Education from Highway Word of Faith (2013), and a Service Award from the PBT Christian Education Department.
Her prior experience includes serving as assistant principal at Benjamin Franklin High School, supervisor of English language arts (K–8) at Chester Community Charter Schools, and earlier roles as director of early literacy (K–2), literacy coach, curriculum writer, and classroom teacher within the School District of Philadelphia. Her leadership is guided by Maya Angelou’s words— “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Dr. Jessup was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and is a graduate of Central High School (Class of 254).
Bianca C. Gillis has served as Principal of Charles C. A. Baldi Middle School since 2023, bringing over 20 years of experience in education within the School District of Philadelphia. As a dedicated instructional leader, Principal Gillis is committed to cultivating a school environment where academic excellence, cultural inclusivity, and student wellness are at the forefront.
Under her leadership, Baldi Middle School has demonstrated sustained and measurable academic growth. The school earned Accelerate Philly recognition for high proficiency in both reading and math for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024, and 2025. For the past six years, 85–88% of students have scored proficient or advanced on the Algebra I Keystone Exam, reflecting strong instructional alignment and student mastery in mathematics. Attendance outcomes have also remained strong, with approximately 85% of students attending school 90% or more days annually over the past five years.
During the 2025–2026 school year, Baldi met all district performance goals, with 59.6% of students in grades 6–8 scoring proficient or advanced on the ELA PSSA, 42.0% scoring proficient or advanced on the Math PSSA, 85.1% of students attending school 90% or more of instructional days, 95.9% of students having zero out-of-school suspensions, 94.3% of teachers maintaining 90% or higher attendance rates, and a 0% dropout rate among students in grades 7–8.
In 2023, Principal Gillis expanded opportunities for students by introducing Career and Technical Education programming at the middle school level, including Construction, Film and Media Production, Graphic Design, and a Robotics elective, providing students with early exposure to career pathways and hands-on, industry-relevant learning experiences.
Prior to becoming Principal of Baldi Middle School, Principal Gillis served as a Principal Resident at Girard Academic Music Program and Northeast High School through the Office of Leadership Development. Before that, she was an Assistant Principal at Central High School and Julia de Burgos Elementary School. Earlier in her career, from 2005 to 2020, Principal Gillis served as an educator and instructional leader across multiple schools, including William Hunter K–8, Alexander Adaire Elementary School, John Paul Jones Middle School, Mayfair Elementary School, Dimner Beeber Middle School, and Julia R. Masterman School. During this time, she held a variety of roles, including sixth-grade math and science teacher, K–8 technology instructor, Dean of Students, PBIS coordinator, Instructional Coach, Mentor Teacher, and Track Coach.
Principal Gillis grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she attended James Rhoads Elementary, Dimner Beeber Middle and Overbrook High School.
Dr. Khailiah C. Edwards has served as principal of Benjamin Franklin High School since July 2021, bringing over 18 years of experience dedicated to the students and families of Philadelphia. Under her leadership, she has cultivated a culture of shared accountability and professional reflection, providing teachers with rigorous, constructive feedback and building leadership capacity within her staff to ensure excellent instruction is a school-wide standard.
Dr. Edwards’ career in education spans over 18 years. She has served as principal of Discovery Charter School from 2016 to 2018, where she led instruction for 774 students in grades K–8, developed the School Improvement Plan, and utilized data-driven professional development to meet yearly growth targets, achieving a 100% success rate in competitive high school placements for 8th-grade graduates. She later served as assistant principal at John Bartram High School from 2019 to 2021, where she played an integral role in stabilizing school climate and managing day-to-day operations.
Dr. Edwards grew up in Long Island, NY before relocating to Philadelphia, where she attended Germantown High School.
Dr. Crystal Edwards has served as principal of W.D. Kelley School since 2017, bringing 27 years of experience across the educational landscape. At W.D. Kelley, Dr. Edwards has led consistent and measurable gains in student achievement and school culture. During the 2024–2025 school year, the school met or exceeded School Board Goals 1, 2, and 3, with 23.5% of students in grades 3–8 scoring proficient or advanced in English Language Arts, a 6.4 percentage point increase, and 15.9% in mathematics, a 2.0 percentage point increase, on the PSSA. Early literacy outcomes saw dramatic growth, with 57.7% of kindergarten students meeting or exceeding benchmark on the STAR Early Literacy assessment, an increase of 43.4 percentage points from fall to spring. These gains build on a sustained trajectory of success, including historic highs in ELA and math performance, a 95% attendance rate — the highest since 2018–2019 — and a strong school climate where 98% of students incurred zero out-of-school suspensions.
Dr. Edwards has been recognized with numerous honors throughout her career, including the 2023 Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals, the 2020 Philadelphia 76ers Outstanding Leadership Award, and the 2016 Outstanding Community Service Award from the University of Pennsylvania. A published author and sought-after speaker, she has presented at national conferences including ASCD, ISTE, and the National Alliance of Black School Educators.
Dr. Edwards has facilitated more than 30 organizational partnerships, directly negotiating over 20 to secure critical resources and funding for her school community. Most notably, she led the establishment of a first-of-its-kind school-based dental clinic in partnership with Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry — the only full-service dental clinic of its kind in a United States school — expanding access to care for students and families. She is also the founder of Empowering Single Moms, Inc., a nationally recognized organization.
Dr. Edwards extends her leadership through board service and civic engagement, including roles with Philadelphia Outward Bound Schools, the Temple University Black Alumni Alliance, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Committee, and the School District of Philadelphia’s Principal Advisory Committee and Black Women in Leadership Think Tank.
Dr. Edwards has served in a variety of educational roles, including high school English teacher, curriculum developer, instructional leadership coach, assistant principal, adjunct professor, and correctional educator. Prior to her career in education, Dr. Edwards worked in television broadcasting, earning Temple University’s Jessica Savitch Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Journalism.
Dr. Edwards grew up in Atlanta, GA & Prince George’s County, MD. She graduated from Parkdale Senior High School in Riverdale, MD.
Kazmir Davis has served as principal of YouthBuild Philly Charter School since June 2023. Serving one of the most vulnerable student populations in Philadelphia, she leads a reengagement model that supports young people pushed out of traditional educational settings to achieve academic completion, develop workforce training, and persist toward postsecondary success.
Under her leadership, enrollment increased by 19.6%, reflecting strengthened recruitment, onboarding, and retention systems, and is on pace to grow by over 60% since 2023, with expansion plans increasing total enrollment to 400 students and creating more flexible pathways for young people with diverse needs.
In January 2026, YouthBuild Philly was exited from Comprehensive Support and Improvement status by the Pennsylvania Department of Education due to sustained improvement in graduation rates and student outcomes. The school was also recognized by the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office for its contributions to anti-gun violence initiatives supporting young people and communities.
During her tenure, YouthBuild Philly has secured major competitive grants, including a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to support building trades programming, a $500,000 William Penn Foundation grant to advance middle-wage job placement, and a $100,000 Elevate215 grant to expand enrollment capacity.
Kazmir has been an educator for over 20 years, serving across the School District of Philadelphia, KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools, and Mastery Charter Schools. Her principal experience includes serving as principal of KIPP Philadelphia Preparatory Academy from 2017 to 2019 and assistant principal of instruction at Frederick Douglass Mastery Charter School.
Kazmir Davis grew up in Philadelphia and is a proud graduate of Central High School’s 260th graduating class.
Dr. Bridget Bujak has served as Principal of The LINC High School since 2015. Under her leadership, the school has implemented a project- and problem-based instructional model centered on authentic learning experiences, fostering a strong adult learning culture grounded in collaboration, reflection, and continuous growth. Through this work, she is committed to ensuring all students have equitable access to high-quality learning experiences that support both their academic growth and personal development.
Dr. Bujak has demonstrated measurable growth in student achievement at the LINC. Most notably, during the 2024–2025 school year, within-year Biology Keystone scores increased from 1.6% to 15.3% proficiency. This academic growth is paired with innovative programming, including a partnership with WHYY that supports a dynamic media program showcasing student-created projects.
Since 2020, Dr. Bujak has served as a Board Member of the Selective Service System, and in 2024 she became a mentor for aspiring leaders in the University of Pennsylvania’s School Leadership Program.
Dr. Bujak’s career in education spans over 20 years, having served in a range of leadership roles throughout her career. Her experience includes positions as a math teacher, department chair, and dean of students at Thomas Edison High School, as well as assistant principal at Olney Charter High School.
A proud Philadelphia native, Dr. Bujak is a graduate of Nazareth Academy High School.
Will Brown has served as principal of Parkway West High School since 2022, where he is dedicated to ensuring every student is prepared and connected to a post-secondary pathway that leads to their own definition of success.
Under Mr. Brown’s leadership, Parkway West has seen transformative growth in both school climate and academic rigor. Between 2022 and 2025, he cultivated a culture of belonging that resulted in a 15.4% increase in student attendance and a 9.5% increase in teacher attendance. His focus on instructional excellence has yielded significant gains on state and technical assessments, including a 15.6% improvement in ELA Keystone scores, a 21.0% increase in NOCTI Career and Technical Education scores, and an 8.1% rise in Algebra 1 Keystone scores. He has also maintained a robust graduation rate of approximately 90% while successfully decreasing student dropouts.
Mr. Brown has been recognized with prestigious honors for his leadership and impact, including the Philadelphia Academies Inc. Educator of the Year award (2025) and the University of Pennsylvania’s Priscilla Dawson Alumni Award (2023). Mr. Brown serves on the Board of Directors for YOACAP and the Sigma Tau Gamma-Gamma Alpha Alumni Association.
Mr. Brown’s career in education spans 14 years, including roles as a middle school math teacher and teacher leader at Northwood Academy Charter School from 2012 to 2018, and the 9th and 10th Grade assistant principal at Jules E. Mastbaum AVTS from 2018 to 2022. Early in his career, Mr. Brown worked as a peer educator for YOACAP and as a camp counselor at Variety Club Camp for students with disabilities, experiences that first sparked his passion for building inclusive communities and empowering young people.
Mr. Brown grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Central High School.
