The Senior and Teacher of the Month initiative celebrates individuals who exemplify dedication, passion, and an unwavering commitment to education and their communities.

Last week’s celebration brought that mission to life in the most vibrant way! With colorful décor, proud smiles, and heartfelt applause, the energy in the room was electric. Honorees were celebrated with joy and excitement as colleagues, students, and families came together to recognize their outstanding achievements. It was a proud moment for all—a true reflection of the excellence that lives within our schools.

Congratulations to all of our incredible winners—you make the School District of Philadelphia proud!

Big shoutout to the incredible students at the Academy at Palumbo—for the first time ever, Palumbo students have been accepted to Ivy League colleges! With GPAs soaring across the board, this moment marks a historic academic milestone.

A special thank you to Principal Kiana Thompson for her exceptional leadership in nurturing a culture of excellence and supporting every scholar’s success. And a massive shout-out to all the students who worked hard to raise the bar—your dedication and achievements are truly inspiring! Watch the full story here.

Jonathan Suarez, a Frankford High School graduate and Tailwinds Aviation Academy scholarship recipient, just completed his flight instructor checkride — officially becoming a certificated flight instructor (CFI)! This is a transformational step toward a professional pilot career.

Now, Jonathan can build flight hours while inspiring and teaching others, paving the way for a bright future in aviation. We are so proud of his perseverance, passion, and progress!

Sandra Gimenez
First Grade Teacher
Anna Lane Lingelbach Elementary School

1. How many years have you served at the School District of Philadelphia? I have served as an educator for 28 years with the Philadelphia School District.
2. What is your favorite part of being a teacher? My favorite part of being a teacher is connecting with students and witnessing their growth and development both academically and socially.
3. What drew you to teaching, and what keeps you passionate about it? What drew me to teaching is my faith. I worked in corporate America, as a production editorial assistant for a few years after graduating from Temple University. I grew weary of that career choice. Then one day. I sat on the steps in my parents’ back yard and prayed about what should be my career path. After completing all clearances, I walked into a classroom and knew my long-term career would be spent as an educator.
4. What are your most memorable moments as a teacher? I have a lot of memorable moments including small wins and growing moments both professionally and amongst my students. Yet, my most memorable moment as an educator is teaching during the pandemic and witnessing one of my first year ELL students reading for the very first time. Another memorable moment was having one of the students I had taught come back to visit me after they were accepted into the college of their choice, and being able to celebrate them being a first-generation college student.
5. What are your biggest accomplishments as a teacher? My biggest accomplishment as a teacher is staying the course and being resilient. As initiatives and curriculum changes occur, being able to understand the needs of my students are at the forefront and I should adjust accordingly.
6. What advice can you offer to new teachers? My biggest advice I could offer a new teacher is being fully aware that teaching is the path for you. Embrace flexibility, build positive, strong relationships with students, staff and other teachers. Find a mentor and be open and vulnerable to seeking help when you need it. Find time for self-care. Also, when dealing with challenging students you may have to adjust to their needs before they adjust to yours, and make provisions for them when appropriate. Keeping in mind the big picture is providing a quality education for all students, while helping to prepare them for life is paramount.
7. What do you want your legacy to be here at the School District of Philadelphia? My legacy should be “Here stands before you someone who knew their calling, and
   continued to stay the course, stewarding their calling, even in the toughest of times.”

I AM SANDRA GIMENEZ
I AM A TEACHER AT ANNA LANE LINGELBACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
I AM SDP

Congrats to the winners of the 2025 CS4Philly Computer Science Teacher Awards! Raheem Chowdhury of Olney High School earned the Early Achievement Award for building a thriving CS program in just three years. Maureen Brown, a longtime tech coach with 36 years in Philly schools, received the Sustained Impact Award for her commitment to digital literacy and robotics. These educators are expanding access and inspiring the next generation of tech leaders! Read more of their story here.

The Philadelphia Tribune features “Good News” from The School District of Philadelphia each week in its Learning Key section. In addition to SDP’s “Good News,” every Tuesday, the Tribune names a District school as School of the Week. Every week, one of our schools is highlighted for the amazing work they are doing with our students. We’re excited to announce Kensington High School as School of the Week in The Philadelphia Tribune’s Learning Key. Read Kensington’s feature article in the Tribune here.