Meet Our Deputy Chief

Timothy J. McKenna, M.Ed.

Timothy J. McKenna is Deputy Chief of Accountability. In this role, Tim currently oversees the staff and projects in the Office of Assessment and in the Planning and Evidence-based Supports Office (PESO).

These offices are part of the Evaluation, Research, and Accountability (ERA) Division, which leads the District’s use of data and evidence to improve outcomes for students. This is achieved through data quality and management efforts; the annual School Progress Report on Education and Equity (SPREE); Qlik-BAM, a suite of interactive dashboards; ongoing program evaluations and research; the comprehensive planning process; and professional development and technical assistance offered to District leadership and staff, Assistant Superintendents, School Leaders, and District partners.

Prior to joining ERA, Tim was the 14th President of Central High School. He led the school from July of 2012 until April of 2022. Under his leadership, Central High School won recognition from the State of Pennsylvania and the School District of Philadelphia for its continued excellence in academics. In 2013, the school won the Governor’s Award for Academic Excellence and has been recognized as a “City Leader” multiple years by the School District of Philadelphia. As a part of his work at Central High School, he was selected to participate in the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders program during the 2015-16 school year. He has continued to work with the academy as a Neubauer Senior Fellow. Prior to leading Central High School, Tim was the principal of Furness High School (2008 – 2012) in South Philadelphia and Frances Willard Elementary School (2006 – 2008) in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. During the 2005-06 school year, he worked as a principal intern at Penn Treaty Middle School. He also worked as an elementary teacher, middle school teacher, SBTL for Literacy and teacher leader during his tenure at Fairhill Elementary School (1996 – 2005).

Mr. McKenna holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fordham University, a Master’s Degree in Education from Holy Family University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University, and a Superintendent’s Letter from Arcadia University.