PASL Honors Civic Leadership
On April 29th , the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders (PASL) gathered school leaders, civic partners, and national voices for its spring Dinner with Decision Makers Dinner (DDM). The evening honored leadership that prepares students not only for graduation, but also for participation in our democracy. As Philadelphia looks ahead to America’s 250th anniversary, the DDM brought together Fellows from across cohorts to reflect on leadership at a critical moment for the city and the nation. Framed around the theme From Birthplace to Global Stage: Preparing Philadelphia for America’s 250, the evening underscored the unique responsibility that Philadelphia’s school leaders carry as stewards of the birthplace of American democracy.
A National Moment, Centered in Philadelphia
Remarks from Jeanette Lerman‑Neubauer situated this work within a broader national context. Recalling Benjamin Franklin’s famous charge—“A republic, madam, if you can keep it”—she underscored how PASL Fellows are helping to meet that challenge by serving as Pennsylvania’s delegates to a national, nonpartisan movement to reinvigorate civics education.
Last month, that leadership was on full display when nearly 700 educators from every state convened in Philadelphia to launch America 250 celebrations. Among them were students from PASL Fellows’ schools (some as young as fourth grade) who presented their democracy projects and engaged national leaders in dialogue. When students are given the opportunity to engage in meaningful civic learning, they rise to the occasion.
Shining Light Awards: Civics in Action
Lerman-Neubauer’s remarks framed the presentation of the Shining Light Awards, honoring four principals whose leadership has advanced high-quality civic education across Philadelphia:
- Rosalie Doherty (Cohort 8, 2024 Neubauer Fellow) was recognized for building civic identity from the earliest grades, weaving civic learning into creative theatre experiences that engage students and families alike.
- Dr. Lauren Overton (Cohort 4, 2018 Neubauer Fellow) was recognized for leading inquiry-driven civic learning that has grown to inform future simulation-based models for scaling the work across schools.
- Dr. Nicole Patterson (Cohort 8, 2024 Neubauer Fellow) was honored for cultivating a school culture where student voice, dialogue, and reflection drive civic identity.
- Michael Roth (Cohort 3, 2017 Neubauer Fellow) was celebrated for empowering students to move beyond learning into action—engaging community challenges and decision-makers with confidence and purpose.
Through the Democratic Knowledge Project and Philadelphia’s Educating for American Democracy pilot, these leaders supported teachers in designing ambitious, inquiry-based curricula. Students examined questions of power, participation, and responsibility; wrote constitutions; drafted letters to elected officials; researched local issues; and presented their work to authentic audiences.
Leadership Moves That Matter
The evening also featured a panel conversation moderated by Cohort 8’s Joy Kingwood Ellis (2024 Neubauer Fellow) and principal of Rhawnhurst School. Panelists Meg Kane (CEO, Philadelphia Soccer 2026), Kathryn Ott Lovell (President & CEO, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation), and Angela Val (President & CEO, Visit Philadelphia) reflected on formative leadership lessons, navigating complex systems, and sustaining long-term vision.
Throughout the discussion, panelists reflected on formative leadership moments, the challenge of navigating complex bureaucracies, and the discipline required to sustain long‑term vision amid constant pressure. Their experiences—spanning global events, city government,and place‑based storytelling—offered school leaders a powerful parallel to their own work. The conversation underscored the importance of leading with clarity and consistency, shaping narratives anchored in values rather than optics, and investing deeply in people and partnerships to ensure work endures beyond any one role or school year. Together, these reflections highlighted the kind of leadership moves required to guide schools, communities, and the city itself toward a shared civic future. In a city defined by its revolutionary past, the panel highlighted how today’s leaders continue that legacy by engaging people not as spectators, but as contributors to Philadelphia’s civic future.
Looking Ahead
As the semiquincentennial approaches, Neubauer Fellows are modeling a steady form of civic leadership that is grounded in classrooms, communities, and daily decisions about how schools prepare young people for civic life. We are proud of their work leading schools and systems that shape how young people understand power, agency, voice, and the skills to participate meaningfully in civic life.