The Board Welcomes Two New Members
The Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia will welcome new Board Members Sarah-Ashley Andrews and Chau Wing Lam to their first Action Meeting today. Ms. Andrews and Ms. Lam, who share a commitment to educational equity, were sworn in on June 28, 2022.
“On behalf of the Board, I welcome our new colleagues Sarah-Ashley Andrews and Chau Wing Lam, who bring diverse voices, valuable experience and a commitment to supporting children and families to the Board,” said Board of Education President Joyce S. Wilkerson. “They will be joining the Board at a crucial moment for the School District, as we welcome a new Superintendent who will be leading the drive to increase student achievement in alignment with our Goals & Guardrails strategic plan.”
Ms. Andrews works as a family therapist at TAG Inspires and previously served as a social worker with Philadelphia Health Management Coalition. In addition, Ms. Andrews founded Dare 2 Hope, a suicide prevention non-profit, serving more than 5,000 students locally and nationally. She also serves on the Administration’s Reconciliation Steering committee, which seeks to build a more equitable city for all Philadelphians. Ms. Andrews has also published, “Move Making Monday,” a motivational book about moving forward and living your best life.
Ms. Andrews, who attended W.B. Saul High School, holds a master’s degree in Counseling from Lincoln University and a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in Human Services from Lancaster Bible College. She also attended undergraduate classes at Bloomsburg University.
“As the CEO and founder of Dare 2 Hope, a community activist, mental health expert, and child and family therapist, I am passionate about equipping students throughout the city of Philadelphia to gain access to the necessary tools needed to become self-sufficient leaders in the city of Philadelphia,” said Board Member Andrews. “I wake up with the desire every day to help people. Not just people, but especially those who sit at intersections where they are ignored and marginalized because their complex and layered identities give no framework for their existence.”
Ms. Lam, a public school graduate and charter school parent, has extensive experience in educational strategy, policy and administration. She previously worked in the School District’s Superintendent’s Office and the Office of Evaluation, Research and Accountability. Ms. Lam also served on a Commonwealth panel to advise on cyber charter authorizations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania.
“I’m thrilled to bring to the Board the combination of my experiences as an English Language Learner, the first in my family to attend college, a parent, a former staff member within the District, and an Asian American citizen,” said Board Member Lam. “I am committed to social justice and equity and look forward to building relationships with my fellow Board Members, Superintendent Watlington, and the community we serve.”
The new Board Members, recommended by the Educational Nominating Panel and selected by Mayor Kenney in May, are filling vacancies created by the resignations of Dr. Angela McIver and Dr. Maria McColgan.