20 Philadelphia Principals Selected to Participate in PASL’s 2025-2026 Instructional Leadership Academy
Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders (PASL) announced that 20 Philadelphia principals have been selected to join the 2025-2026 Instructional Leadership Academy.
The Instructional Leadership Academy (ILA) is a year-long professional learning experience that equips principals to lead through data-informed, equitable, and high-impact instructional systems. Open to the School District of Philadelphia, Charter, and Faith-based school principals, the 2025-2026 ILA cohort also includes—for the first time—principals from alternative schools. ILA goes beyond traditional professional development; it integrates targeted workshops, individualized coaching, and job-embedded implementation supports designed to translate learning into measurable school improvement.
Run in partnership with Achievement Network (ANet), ILA is designed to meet the real and evolving needs of Philadelphia schools. Now in its third year, the program builds skills in analyzing and implementing instructional data, improving observation and feedback systems, leading purposeful learning walks, and increasing the rigor and coherence of classroom instruction. It’s a hands-on, practical experience that supports leaders to make transformative changes that create better learning experiences for every student.
Moreover, ILA is closely aligned with assessment platforms used across Philadelphia schools, making it easier for leaders to apply data in strategic ways—whether that’s planning instruction, guiding learning, fostering staff collaboration, or making instructional shifts. The program also incorporates best practices for curriculum implementation, while honoring commitments to grade-level, standards-based instruction rooted in equity. Leaders leave equipped to support high-quality teaching that aligns with city-wide educational priorities and fits the unique needs of their schools.
“The Instructional Leadership Academy represents our deep belief that strong school leadership is essential to achieving equity and excellence for all students,” said Edwin M. Quezada, EdD, PASL Executive Director. “These 20 principals embody that belief—they are committed to growing their skills, strengthening their schools, and driving meaningful change. I’m excited for the year ahead and inspired by the future they represent for Philadelphia’s students.”
The year-long program kicks off in September 2025 and runs to May 2026. It includes six in-person learning sessions, along with monthly one-on-one coaching tailored to each principal’s needs. Built around a “Learn–Apply–Reflect” model, ILA emphasizes practical tools, collaboration with peers, and alignment with PASL’s Leadership Competencies: Adaptive Leadership, Continuous Improvement for Student Success, Equity, Family & Community Engagement, Instructional Leadership, Professional Learning, and Systems & Operations. These touchpoints give leaders ongoing opportunities to assess instructional quality, make data-informed decisions, and lead curriculum implementation in ways that reflect and support district and school system priorities and values.
The Instructional Leadership Academy is more than professional development—it’s a comprehensive support system that equips school leaders with the conditions, tools, and trust they need to use instructional leadership as a driver of equity and excellence for every student in every school.
“The Instructional Leadership Academy represents a powerful first step in PASL’s continuum of leadership learning, grounded in research and designed to drive real change for Philadelphia’s students,” said Joseph Neubauer, PASL Board Chair. “By investing in the growth of school leaders through evidence-based, job-embedded learning, we’re laying the foundation for stronger classrooms and schools. The principals who represent the latest ILA cohort are not only committing to their own development—they’re committing to the future of all Philadelphia’s students. Their leadership will ripple across communities, shaping instruction, culture, and opportunity. We’re proud to support them on this journey and are confident in the impact they will make.”
The 2025-2026 Instructional Leadership Academy is:
- Diana Abellard, Achieve Academy of Philadelphia – East Campus; School District of Philadelphia (Alternative)
- John Davidson, Mastery Charter School at Lenfest; Mastery Schools
- Herman Douglas, Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus School; School District of Philadelphia
- Randy Frazier, Mastery Prep Elementary; Mastery Schools (co-principal)
- Bianca Gillis, Baldi Middle School; School District of Philadelphia
- Yohana Giraldo, Esperanza Academy Charter School, High School
- Allison Grundy, Deep Roots Charter School
- Eugene Haith, Mastery Prep Elementary; Mastery Schools (co-principal)
- Jaleeca Jacobs, Excel Middle Years Academy; School District of Philadelphia (Alternative)
- Benjamin Koch, Building 21 Philadelphia; School District of Philadelphia
- Susan Lofton, Joseph Pennell Elementary School; School District of Philadelphia
- Brandon McNeice, Cornerstone Christian Academy
- Jayda Pugliese, Nazareth Academy Grade School
- Melissa Rasper, Samuel Fels High School; School District of Philadelphia
- Vanessa Rymer, Resurrection Regional Catholic School
- Lauren Sobieski, St. Martin of Tours Catholic School; School District of Philadelphia
- Wajibah Thompson, Penn Treaty School; School District of Philadelphia
- Shantelle Yarbrough, James J. Sullivan School; School District of Philadelphia
- Elyssa Yuen, Philadelphia Hebrew Public Charter School
- Adam Zeiser, One Bright Ray Community High School, Elmwood; School District of Philadelphia (Alternative)
For more information regarding PASL, the 2025-2026 Instructional Leadership Academy, and PASL’s other school leadership programming, visit www.PASL.org.
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About Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders
Founded on the research-based principle that effective school leadership is critical in improving student outcomes, Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders is a nonprofit that provides educational leaders across Philadelphia’s district, charter, and faith-based schools with results-driven and evidence-based leadership development to advance educational excellence in Philadelphia schools. PASL’s program offerings are designed to meet the needs of educational leaders across roles and throughout their careers, focused on developing the skills and providing the tools and resources that are critical to effecting change, improving schools, and driving student outcomes. The organization’s flagship program, the Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership, is a transformative two-year, cohort-based experience for highly effective principals that builds capacity and maximizes results. PASL’s 103 Senior Neubauer Fellows are supported through ongoing Senior Institutes and Leading for Results, PASL’s newest initiative. This one-year, cohort-based learning experience is designed to help leaders address specific problems of practice. Finally, the Instructional Leadership Academy is a foundational yearlong program that strengthens principals’ leadership skills in teacher coaching, strategic use of professional learning time, and data-driven instruction. Across all PASL programs, the organization has served nearly 200 school and system leaders as PASL strives to transform the educational landscape and improve the lives of the nearly 205,000 students in Philadelphia.
About the Instructional Leadership Academy
The Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders believes that great schools are built by great leaders. In partnership with Achievement Network (ANet), PASL is proud to offer the Instructional Leadership Academy (ILA)—a program designed to help Philadelphia principals strengthen the instructional systems and structures in their schools to drive meaningful results for students. Now in its third year, ILA focuses on three key levers for improving student learning: effective teacher coaching, strategic use of professional learning time, and data-driven instruction. To support growth in these areas, each ILA participant is matched with an Instructional Leadership Coach who provides individualized monthly coaching, in addition to the program’s bi-monthly learning sessions. ILA equips principals with the tools to drive lasting change for every learner in every school.