Meet Our Leadership
Meet Our Superintendent
Tony B. Watlington, Sr. Ed.D.
Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr. was appointed superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, the nation’s 8th largest school district with nearly 200,000 students, on April 1, 2022 and was sworn in on June 16, 2022. A collaborative and results-oriented leader, Dr. Watlington began his tenure by launching an aggressive Entry Plan composed of 3 phases. Phase one included a listening and learning tour with 90 sessions in his first 100 days, phase 2 included a Transition Team composed of 100 diverse Philadelphians and K-12 national experts who issued a formal report with short and long-term recommendations, and phase 3 includes the development of an aggressive 5-year strategic planning process to position the school district to become the fastest improving large, urban school district in the country.
Under Superintendent Watlington’s leadership, the School District of Philadelphia outpaces other large urban districts nationwide and similar districts in Pennsylvania for math in grades 3-8 and reading in grades 3-8 based on the Education Recovery Scorecard, a report released by Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research and The Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University. This report included 30 states representing about 60% of the national public school student population.
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Prior to joining The School District of Philadelphia, Dr. Watlington served as superintendent of the Rowan-Salisbury Schools, North Carolina’s first and only Renewal School District where he launched a new equity-focused strategic plan and accountability model with multiple measures. He expanded competency-based education, problem-based learning, and strategies that develop the whole child, ensuring that every student graduates and becomes enrolled in college, enlisted in the military, or employed in a good paying job. Under his leadership, the district’s 3rd grade district literacy ranking among the state’s 115 school districts rose from 96 in 2019 to 74 in 2021, the percent of schools that met or exceed state growth targets increased from 55% to 71%, and the percent of schools that exceeded state growth targets increased from 6% to 29%. Additionally, the district ranked #4 among 115 school districts in the state for career and technical (CTE) concentrator students and Dr. Watlington and his team were featured on the NBC Nightly News for innovative leadership during the COVID 19 Pandemic as a result of efforts to keep schools safety open and to mitigate disruption.
Dr. Watlington previously served as Chief of Schools in Guilford County Schools, the third largest school district in North Carolina and the 47th largest among 14,000 school districts in the United States. He was responsible for improving systems that lead to excellence and equity for all students, which resulted in improved academic outcomes in all subjects, at all grade levels, and for all student groups. In addition to achieving 4 of the 5 top ranked high schools in the state of North Carolina (according to US News and World Report), the district increased graduation rates and teacher satisfaction while reducing teacher turnover, student absenteeism, and student discipline incidents.
A first-generation college graduate and a champion for equity, Dr. Watlington is committed to building collaborative school and community teams that are accountable for creating life changing opportunities for all children, while significantly reducing achievement and opportunity gaps. A native of Fort Dix, New Jersey and the youngest of seven children, Dr. Watlington grew up in rural Harnett County, North Carolina and was the first member of his family to attend college. He received his undergraduate degree in History Education from N.C. A&T State University, a master’s degree in American political history from The Ohio State University, a Master’s of School Administration and a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership degree from UNC-Chapel Hill (where he was a NC Principal Fellow). He also holds training certificates from Harvard and Yale Universities and is a member of the National Urban Superintendent’s Academy sponsored by Howard University and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).
Dr. Watlington began his career as a history teacher in Guilford County, NC in 1994 and was named district Teacher-of-the-Year in 1998. A life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Dr. Watlington was honored as the North Carolina PTA Administrator of the Year in 2014 and he received the Communities-in-Schools (CIS) Champion’s Cup and Business Leaders Movers and Shakers Award. He serves on numerous boards, including the Board of Community Behavioral Health (CBH) and he previously served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Public School Forum. Outside of work, his interests include spending time with his family, volunteering in his community, CrossFit training and running 5K races, traveling to historic sites, learning to play his guitar, good food and conversation, and he enjoys an occasional basketball game with his 3 sons, Tony Jr., Aaron, and Caleb.
District Spotlight 2023-24 (coming soon)
Meet the Leadership Team
Chief of Communications & Customer Service
Alex Coppadge
215-400-4040 | E-mail
Chief of Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. Nyshawana Francis-Thompson
215-400-4210 | E-mail
Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Dr. Sabriya Jubilee
215-400-4560 | E-mail
Chief of Evaluation, Research & Accountability
Dr. Tonya Wolford
215-400-4100 | E-mail
Chief of Finance
Mike Herbstman
215-400-4500 | E-mail
Chief of Information Technology
Melanie Harris
215-400-4400 | E-mail
Chief Learning Officer
Dr. Michael Farrell
215-400-4100 | E-mail
Interim Deputy Superintendent of Operations
Oz Hill
215-400-4310 | E-mail
Interim Chief of School Safety
Craig Johnson
215-400-4710 | E-mail
Chief of Special Education & Diverse Learners
Dr. Nathalie Nérée
215-400-4000 | E-mail
Chief of Staff
Sarah Galbally
215-400-4100 | E-mail
Chief of Talent
Kaylan Connally
215-400-4000 | E-mail
Chief of Student Support Services
Dr. Jayme Banks (Interim)
215-400-4100 | E-mail
Associate Superintendent of School Performance – Elementary I
Kimberly Newman
Contact
Associate Superintendent of School Performance – Elementary II
Hilderbrand Pelzer III
Contact
Associate Superintendent of School Performance – Secondary
Tomás Hanna
Contact
Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services
Dr. Jermaine Dawson
215-400-4100 | E-mail
General Counsel
Lynn Rauch
215-400-4120 | E-mail
President & CEO, The FUND for the School District of Philadelphia
Kathryn Epps Roberson
Interim Chief Operating Officer
Teresa Fleming
215-400-4310 | E-mail
Learning Networks & Leadership Team
Elementary/Middle Learning Networks
High School Learning Networks
Citywide High School Learning Network
Learning Network 1
Donna Ragsdale | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 1
- Anderson, Add B. School
- Barry, John Elementary School
- Bryant, William C. School
- Catharine, Joseph W. School
- Comegys, Benjamin B. School
- Hamilton, Andrew School
- Harrington, Avery D. School
- Lea, Henry C.
- Longstreth, William C. School
- Mitchell Elementary School
- Morton, Thomas G. School
- Patterson, John M. School
- Penrose School
- Sadie Alexander School
- Tilden Middle School
Learning Network 2
Timothy Jones, Ed.D. | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 2
- Bregy, F. Amedee School
- Childs, George W. School
- Fanny Jackson Coppin School
- Fell, D. Newlin School
- Girard, Stephen School
- Jenks, Abram School
- Key, Francis Scott School
- Kirkbride, Eliza B. School
- McDaniel, Delaplaine School
- Meredith, William M. School
- Nebinger, George W. School
- Sharswood, George School
- Southwark School
- Taggart, John H. School
- Vare-Washington Elementary
Learning Network 3
Markita Floyd | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 3
- Blankenburg, Rudolph School
- Bluford, Guion S. Elementary School
- Cassidy, Lewis C. Academics Plus
- Gompers, Samuel School
- Heston, Edward School
- Lamberton, Robert E. Elementary
- Locke, Alain School
- McMichael, Morton School
- MYA-Middle Years Alternative
- Overbrook Educational Center
- Overbrook Elementary School
- Powel, Samuel School
- Rhoads, James School
- Science Leadership Academy MS
- Washington, Martha School
Learning Network 4
Dr. Jamina Clay | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 4
- Adaire, Alexander School
- Bache-Martin School
- Dunbar, Paul L. School
- Greenfield, Albert M. School
- Hackett, Horatio B. School
- Kearny, Gen. Philip School
- Ludlow, James R. School
- Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy
- McCall, Gen. George A. School
- Meade, Gen. George G. School
- Moffet, John School
- Morris, Robert School
- Spring Garden School
- Stanton, Edwin M. School
- Waring, Laura W. School
Learning Network 5
Alphonso Evans, Ed.D. | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 5
- Allen, Dr. Ethel School
- Amy Northwest
- Blaine, James G. School
- Cook-Wissahickon School
- Dick, William School
- Dobson, James School
- Fitler Academics Plus
- Gideon, Edward School
- Kelley, William D. School
- Kelly, John B. School
- Mifflin, Thomas School
- Peirce, Thomas M. School
- Rhodes Elementary School
- Shawmont School
- Wright, Richard R. School
Learning Network 6
Laureal Robinson | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 6
- Day, Anna B. School
- Edmonds, Franklin S. School
- Ellwood School
- Emlen, Eleanor C. School
- Henry, Charles W. School
- Houston, Henry H. School
- Jenks Academy Arts & Sciences
- Lingelbach, Anna L. School
- McCloskey, John F. School
- Pennell, Joseph Elementary
- Pennypacker, Samuel School
- Prince Hall School
- Roosevelt Elementary School
- Rowen, William School
- Wagner, Gen. Louis Middle School
Learning Network 7
Dr. Constance Faith Horton | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 7
- Barton, Clara School
- Cayuga School
- Clemente, Roberto Middle School
- Cooke, Jay Elementary School
- Crossroads @ Hunting Park
- Feltonville Arts & Sciences
- Feltonville Intermediate
- Finletter, Thomas K. School
- Howe, Julia Ward School
- Logan, James School
- Lowell, James R. School
- Marshall, Thurgood School
- Morrison, Andrew J. School
- Olney Elementary School
- Washington, Grover Jr. Middle School
Learning Network 8
Renato M. Lajara Ed.D. | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 8
- Bethune, Mary McLeod School
- Brown, Henry A. School
- Deburgos, J. Elementary
- Duckrey, Tanner School
- Hartranft, John F. School
- Hunter, William H. School
- Kenderton Elementary
- McClure, Alexander K. School
- McKinley, William School
- Munoz-Marin, Hon Luis School
- Potter-Thomas School
- Sheppard, Isaac A. School
- Steel, Edward T. School
- Taylor, Bayard School
- Welsh, John School
Learning Network 9
Ariel Lajara | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 9
- Amy at James Martin
- Bridesburg School
- Conwell, Russell Middle School
- Cramp, William School
- Elkin, Lewis School
- Gloria Casarez Elementary School
- Harding, Warren G. Middle School
- Hopkinson, Francis School
- Juniata Park Academy
- Marshall, John School
- Richmond School
- Stearne, Allen M. School
- Stetson, John B. Middle School
- Webster, John H. School
- Willard, Frances E. School
Learning Network 10
Mark Vitvitsky | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 10
- Baldi Middle School
- Carnell, Laura H. School
- Castor Gardens Middle School
- Comly, Watson School
- Crossan, Kennedy C. School
- Farrell, Louis H. School
- Fox Chase School
- Frank, Anne School
- Franklin, Benjamin Elementary School
- Greenberg, Joseph School
- Loesche, William H. School
- Moore, J. Hampton School
- Rhawnhurst School
- Solis-Cohen, Solomon School
- Spruance, Gilbert School
Learning Network 11
Tamara Edwards | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 11
- Allen, Ethan School
- Brown, Joseph H. School
- Decatur, Stephen School
- Disston, Hamilton School
- Fitzpatrick, A.L. School
- Forrest, Edwin School
- Hancock Demonstration School
- Holme, Thomas School
- Lawton, Henry W. School
- Mayfair School
- Northeast Community Propel Academy
- Pollock, Robert B. School
- Sullivan, James J. School
- Ziegler, William H. School
Learning Network 12
Jeff McFarland | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 12
- Bartram, John High School
- Constitution High School
- Crossroads Accelerated Academy
- Furness, Horace High School
- High School Of The Future
- Overbrook High School
- Pennypack House School
- Phila Juv Justice Svcs Ctr
- Philadelphia Learning Academy West
- Robeson, Paul High School
- Sayre, William L. High School
- South Philadelphia High School
- The Workshop School
- West Philadelphia High School
Learning Network 13
Dr. Noah Tennant | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 13
- Dobbins, Murrell High School
- Franklin, Benjamin High School
- Kensington Health Sciences
- Kensington High School
- Kensington High School for Creative and Performing Arts CAPA
- Mastbaum, Jules E. High School
- Penn Treaty High School
- Philadelphia Military Academy
- Philadelphia Virtual Academy
- Randolph Technical High School
- Roxborough High School
- Strawberry Mansion High School
- The U School
- Vaux Big Picture High School
Learning Network 14
Richard Gordon | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 14
- Building 21
- Edison, Thomas A. High School
- Fels, Samuel High School
- Frankford High School
- King, Martin Luther High School
- Lincoln, Abraham High School
- Northeast High School
- Olney High School
- Philadelphia Learning Academy North
- Swenson Arts/Tech High School
- The LINC
- Washington, George High School
- Widener Memorial School
Learning Network 15
Dr. Anh Nguyen | Contact | Download Map
View Schools in Network 15
- Academy at Palumbo
- Arts Academy @ Benjamin Rush
- Bodine, William W. High School
- Carver Engineering & Science High School
- Central High School
- Creative and Performing Arts CAPA
- Franklin Learning Center
- Girard Academic Music Program
- Hill-Freedman World Academy
- Lankenau High School
- Masterman, Julia R. High School
- Motivation High School
- Parkway C.C. Middle College
- Parkway West High School
- Parkway-Northwest High School
- Philadelphia High School for Girls
- Saul, Walter B. High School
- Science Leadership Academy
- Science Leadership Academy @ Beeber
Entry Plan
Phase I: Listening & Learning Tour (Findings)
During Phase 1, Dr. Watlington’s top priority was to listen and learn. He focused this work around five key priority areas. He successfully completed all of the first 100-day priorities as outlined.
A majority activity within Phase 1 was the Listening and Learning tour. Dr. Watlington hosted 90 Listening and Learning sessions that included educators, school leaders, students, family members, central office and school-based staff, citywide groups, and community-based organizations.
Download the First 100 Days document in your language.
Albanian | Arabic | Bengali | Cantonese | Chinese | English | French | Haitian Creole | Indonesian | Khmer | Malayalam | Mandingo | Pashto | Portuguese | Russian | Spanish | Tajik | Ukrainian | Urdu | Uzbek | Vietnamese
Phase 2: Transition Team (Report)
The Transition Team Report was presented to the Board of Education and the public on October 20, 2022. Transition Team Co-chairs Andrea Custis and Dr. Guy Generals shared the findings of the sub-committees and their 91 recommendations.
Download the Transition Team Report English | Spanish
Download the Transition Team Report Executive Summary
English | SHQIP | عربي | 汉语 | Français | ខ្មែរ | Português | Pусский | Español | Việt
Accelerate Philly: The School District of Philadelphia’s Strategic Plan
Phase 3 of Dr. Watlington’s Transition Process is the creation of a 5-year Strategic Plan. This process began in December and will conclude in May with the launch of the new Strategic Plan. As part of the Strategic Planning process, we will use the learnings and recommendations from Phases 1 and 2 of the transition process–as well as the experiences of our talented school leaders, staff, students, and families–to develop a comprehensive, actionable plan that will serve as a roadmap for our next 5 years. It is through the implementation of this plan that we will position ourselves to become the fastest improving large, urban school district in the country.
Superintendent’s Principal Advisory Council
Aliya Catanch-Bradley – Mary McLeod Bethune
Alonzo Fulton – CAPA
Andrew Lukov – Southwark
Angelique Leizerowicz – Fox Chase
Bahir Hayes – William C. Bryant
Bianca Reyes – Julia DeBurgos
Brian Wallace – Parkway Center City Middle College
Briana Dunn-Robb – Constitution HS
Bridget Bujak – The LINC
Cassandra Houston – Ethel Allen
Christie Parfitt – Jay Cooke
Colleen Bowen – Clara Barton
Daniel Peou – Horace Furness HS
Deana Ramsey – Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Service Center
Erica Green – Russell Conwell
Heather Mull-Miller – William H. Hunter
John Spencer – McCloskey
Katiedra Argro – Philadelphia High School for Girls
Keisha Wilkins – Martin Luther King HS
Kiana Thompson – Academy at Palumbo HS
Leah Coleman – Joseph Greenberg
LeRoy Hall – Henry H. Houston
Lisa Wilmer – Joseph W. Catharine
Luis Garcia – McClure
Melissa Rasper – Samuel Fels
Nicole Freeman – William H. Ziegler
Pauline Cheung – Francis Scott Key
Phil Deluca – Samuel Gompers
Rennu Teli – Motivation HS
Shauneille Taylor – Edward Gideon
Sherin Kurian – William H. Loesche
Sue Thompson – George Washington HS
Tameron Dancy – Robert Morris
Todd Kimmel – Hackett
Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council
Allyson Buckley – Solis-Cohen
Amy Bussman – Anne Frank
Andrea Ferentchak – Jay Cooke
Anna Phelan – Overbrook EC
Antonia Betancourt – Andrew Hamilton
Cady Zuvich – William Ziegler
Charlotte McCracken– Bache-Martin
Christina Harta – Anne Frank
Christine Arnold – Roxborough HS
Crystal Montague-Lanham – TM Peirce
Dan DiMartino – Shawmont
Dan Fitzsimmons – Cramp
Ericka Andrews – Grover Washington MS
Ethel Peterson – Bregy
Felicea Fennell – Julia Ward Howe
Grace Grillo – Furness
Heidi Fabian – Eleanor C. Emlen
Khalil Williams – West Philadelphia HS
Lisa Cephas – Lincoln HS
Madeline Jackmon – Spring Garden
Marc Reason – Henry H. Houston
Marian Smith-Baker – Middle Years Alternative (MYA)
Marina Feldman – Watson Comly
Marissa Bakst – William H. Hunter
Marsena Toney – Jenks Academy for Arts and Sciences
Megan Marchino – Pollock
Michelle Brozdonis – Fanny Jackson Coppin
Seanier Keyes – John B. Kelly
Shaheer Brown – Benjamin Franklin ES
Shannon Satchell – Patterson
Stephanie Braceland – Vare Washington
Stephen Flemming – Martin Luther King
Victoria Aristoklis – James Rhoads
Zeborah Davenger – Jay Cooke
Zeone Shield-Short – Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center