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Dr. Mary Libby is a student-centered educational leader with over 20 years of experience dedicated to advancing equity and social justice in K-12 education. Currently she serves as the Deputy Chief of Diverse Learners for the School District of Philadelphia. Previously Dr. Libby was an Assistant Superintendent with the Governor Mifflin School District and served in various leadership roles within the School District of Philadelphia.
As a school principal, Dr. Libby led the Chester A. Arthur School through a transformative period, including a successful student-led initiative to rename the school Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy, honoring the civil rights icon. She led the school to significant improvements in student achievement, with increases across all District Board Goal Leading Indicators in reading and math (up to 13%). Under her leadership, Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy received multiple awards, including recognition from the Office of Educational Technology, the Office of Family and Community Engagement, and WHYY. The school was also shortlisted for the prestigious T4 Education’s World’s Best School Prizes in the Supporting Healthy Lives category for its commitment to equity, academic excellence, and community engagement.
While Dr. Libby’s experience driving systems-level change extends internationally, her deep roots and commitment are in Philadelphia schools. Her commitment to fostering inclusive environments that value diversity and ensure each learner is empowered to exceed their limitless potential is informed by this diverse experience and the various roles she has served, including teacher, department and curricular lead, teacher and leadership coach, lecturer, researcher, professional learning specialist, principal, and assistant superintendent.
Originally from the Portland, ME area, Dr. Libby is dedicated to improving outcomes for Philadelphia students.
Amanda has served as the principal of Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary School since 2020. Under her leadership, Muñoz Marín’s Star Assessment scores increased in the 2021-2022 school year and the average Student Growth Percentiles (SGP) increased by 7.2% in English Language Arts and 8.8% in Math. Muñoz Marín also saw a decrease in intensive interventions.
In 2022 Muñoz Marín was recognized by former President Joe Biden for using American Relief Funds to support literacy and after-school arts programs for students. Amanda also created a school-wide diversity and equity coalition that birthed Muñoz Marín’s first annual Hispanic Heritage celebration and Black Lives Matter week.
Amanda has been an educator since 2015. Prior to becoming a principal, Amanda served as a first-grade teacher, third grade teacher, Catapult learning site supervisor, reading intervention coach for grades K-3, and assistant principal. Amanda grew up in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Dollette Smith has served as the principal of Morton McMichael School since 2019. Under her leadership, Morton McMichael exited the Acceleration Network model as a result of a 21% increase in School Progress Report (SPR) scores. In the 2019-2020 school year, Morton McMichael was recognized for Accelerating School Improvement.
Dr. Smith has been an educator since 1997. Prior to becoming a principal, Dr. Smith served as a teacher, climate and culture coach, observation and feedback coach, assistant principal, and principal fellow. Dr. Smith grew up in Philadelphia, PA.
Rodney has served as the principal of John Moffet School since 2019. Under his leadership, John Moffet’s K-5 Math Aimsweb Data increased 8%. In addition to seeing growth in overall school data, there has been a 19% increase in math for English Language Learner students at Moffet. In 2020, John Moffet received recognition as a National Elementary Honor Society School.
Rodney has been an educator since 2007. Prior to becoming a principal, Rodney served as a pre-kindergarten teacher, kindergarten teacher, 1st grade teacher, 3rd grade teacher, academic literacy coach, director of early literacy, and professional learning specialist. Rodney grew up in West Palm Beach, FL.
In 2023, Dr. Kahlila Johnson became the Deputy Chief of Talent Management with the School District of Philadelphia, overseeing teams in Leadership Talent Management, School Base Talent Management, and Substitute Talent Management. Prior to this, served as the principal of Overbrook High School from 2019-2023. Under her leadership, Overbrook High School’s out of school suspensions decreased by 17.8%. During the 2021-2022 school year, the STAR Reading Assessment scores for At/Above increased in Grades 9-11 from 7.8% in Quarter 1 and to 15% in Quarter 2. Overbrook High School is meeting the high school graduation target of 65% of students graduating in the 2021-2022 school year. In the 2021-2022 SY the on-track data has increased for each grade level. Overbrook High School also has a Digital Media CTE program, where students partake in internships with the Mann Music Center and Live Nation.
Dr. Johnson has been an educator since 1993. Prior to becoming the principal of Overbrook High School, Dr. Johnson was the founding principal at Philadelphia Learning Academy-North in 2009. She has also served as principal at William L. Sayre High School from 2010-2012. Under her leadership, PSSA scores increased in literacy and Sayre was removed from the state’s most dangerous list. She has led in traditional public schools, charter and virtual charter. Prior to becoming a principal, Dr. Johnson served as a physics teacher, 9th grade Success Academy team leader, district-wide academic coach, assistant principal, and deputy chief of high schools. Dr. Johnson serves on the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Prior to becoming an educator, Dr. Johnson worked for the United States Department of education as a researcher. Dr. Johnson is a Queens, NY native, but her heart is in Philadelphia, PA where she was educated in public schools 5th-12th grade. She is the mother of two children, Taylor and Kirby, who are both educators in the city of Philadelphia.
Erica has served as the principal of Conwell Middle Magnet School since 2013. Under her leadership, Conwell Middle Magnet School has seen growth in academic gains and student attendance. Conwell has also developed strong community and alumni partnerships with Temple University, After School All Stars (ASAS), and Zaire Franklin Foundation’s “Shelice’s Angels.” During the 2019-2020 school year Councilwoman Sanchez and the Cocoa- Cola organization gave Conwell a $10,000 grant for Conwell Student Council members to update the school yard.
Erica has been an educator in the School District of Philadelphia since 1995. Prior to becoming a principal at Conwell Middle Magnet School, Erica served as principal at Grover Cleveland Elementary School. Under her leadership, Grover Cleveland received recognition for Adequate Year Progress (AYP). Prior to becoming a principal, Erica served as a middle school literacy and social studies teacher, an elementary school assistant principal, and a middle school assistant principal. Erica is the recipient of the 2019 Marcus Foster Award for Stellar Principals and a 2022 recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Principals. Erica grew up in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Nimet Eren has served as the principal of Kensington Health Sciences Academy since 2017. Under her leadership, Kensington Health Sciences Academy improved the number of students “on-track” by 34.1%. Improved the number of students attending 95% days or more by 39.3%. Kensington Health Sciences Academy has been recognized for School Progress Report growth.
Dr. Eren has been an educator since 2007. Prior to becoming a principal, Dr. Eren served as a teacher and assistant principal. Dr. Eren received the Lindback Principal Award in 2019. Dr. Eren has received the City Year Moccasin Award. She has also received the Olney Charter High School Teacher of the Year in 2014. In 2020, Dr. Eren received the University of Pennsylvania William E. Arnold Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Student. Dr. Eren grew up in Avon Lake, OH.
David has served as the principal of Dr. Tanner G. Duckrey Public School since 2014. Under his leadership, Duckrey has had an increase in School Progress Report (SPR) scores. David has also endorsed consistent professional development and wellness supports for staff, which can be seen in academic coaches, peer observation programs, and weekly Common Planning Time meetings.
David has been an educator since 2005. Prior to becoming a principal at Dr. Tanner G. Duckery Public School, David served as principal of Crossroads at Huntington Park where he increased the student attendance rate and developed a Positive Behavior Support Plan. Prior to becoming a principal, David served as a 4th grade teacher, 5th grade teacher, 6th grade teacher, and dean of students. David serves on the Teacher Leader Steering Committee for the School District of Philadelphia and has participated in the Principal Focus Group for District Partnerships. David grew up in Bala Cynwyd, PA.
Andrew has served as principal of Thomas G. Morton School since 2020. Under his leadership, Thomas G. Morton has more than doubled the percent of students on grade level for math, as well as increased the percent of students on grade level for reading by 13%.
Andrew has been an educator since 2004. Prior to becoming a principal, he has served as a tutor, college advisor, teacher aid, Teaching Fellow, bilingual teacher, middle school math and ELA teacher, school-based teacher leader, assistant principal and Principal Fellow. In 2014, Andrew’s students were recognized for Exemplary Growth in Grade 6 Math at KIPP Philadelphia. Andrew is a graduate of the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education’s (NAATE) Teacher Leader program. He received his administrative certificate from TNTP‘s residency program, Philadelphia Pathway to Leadership in Urban Schools, PhillyPLUS Turnaround. Andrew grew up in a small town in upstate New York.
Joi has served as the principal of Grover Washington Jr. Middle School since 2018. Under her leadership, Grover Washington Jr. Middle School’s School Progress Report scores increased 28% in overall score, 61% in progress, and 20% in climate during the 2018-2019 school year. In 2021, Grover Washington Jr. Middle School was featured in the Philadelphia Tribune’s “School of the Week.”
Joi has been an educator since 2008. Prior to becoming a principal at Grover Washington, Joi was principal at Julia Ward Howe School from 2017-2018. Under her leadership, Howe was named Top Elementary School in the School District of Philadelphia during the 2017-2018 school year, student attendance increased, and the Home and School Association was established. Prior to becoming a principal, Joi served as a 6th-8th grade math teacher, special education liaison, teacher leader, academic coach, technology teacher leader, testing coordinator, and mentor teacher. Joi grew up in Hillside, NJ.
KaTiedra Argro returned to her alma mater with her appointment as principal of Philadelphia High School for Girls in 2024. She previously served as the principal of Commodore John Barry Elementary School from 2019-2024. Under her leadership, John Barry implemented a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, which includes a PBIS arcade room. John Barry’s STAR Student Growth Performance in reading increased 7.1% and increased 6.7% in math. KaTiedra also implemented strategic small groups at John Barry, where staff use common planning time to focus on using data to drive small group instruction and professional development aligned with PA school standards.
KaTiedra has been an educator since 2003. Prior to becoming a principal, KaTiedra served as a youth advocate, 5-8 math teacher, 5-8 special education teacher, 5-8 special education liaison, 5-8 director of mentally gifted programs, 7-8 math and science instructional coach, director of specialized services, special education case manager, early intervention special instructor, and assistant principal. KaTiedra has served on the School District of Philadelphia’s Principal Advisory Board, Before Care and After Care Extra Curricula Principal Planning Team, and Professional Learning Cycle Planning Team. She has also served as a Professional Development Facilitator to support equity initiatives at SDP and as the Local 502 Commonwealth Association of School Administrators Steward. KaTiedra grew up in the Fairhill Housing project in North Philadelphia, PA. KaTiedra is a Philadelphia High School for Girls’ graduate Class 243.
