Meet Our Professional Learning Specialists
Professional Learning Specialists (PLS) design and deliver focused professional learning experiences for educators grounded in multiple opportunities for practice and feedback to support next-day implementation. Sessions integrate best practices of adult learning with follow up job-embedded coaching to support the application of the session’s content. These supports include individualized coaching, data collection, modeling, co-teaching, and co-planning. PLSs also co-lead a district-wide professional development initiative, which includes: Induction, Tune Up Tuesday, Exemplary Teaching Video Library, and teacher-led professional development events.
Camille Banks
Camille Banks has been in the field of education since 1999 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Social Studies from Delaware State University. She’s taught grades 1-6 in the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County Maryland and Philadelphia. She began her leadership journey in Prince George’s County Public Schools as a Data Coach, School Instructional Team Coordinator and Principal designee. She went on to be the Literacy Lead and SBTL at Tilden Middle School after a short stint selling life insurance and supporting her family businesses in early children learning. Throughout her teaching career she has made it her mission to make learning a fun, memorable experience for all children. She is currently supporting the development of SDP’s teacher leaders and aspiring leaders. In her spare time, she enjoys working at her church’s pantry, gardening and singing.
Amy Bray
Amy has been in education since 2017 teaching math and science to 4th and 5th grade students in Philadelphia and Indianapolis charter schools. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a math concentration from Clemson University and her Master’s degree in Educational improvement and Transformation with a concentration in Leadership, Curriculum, and Instructional Design from Drexel University. Amy holds her Instructional I and Instructional II math grades 4-8 certification. After years of being a mentor teacher, Amy made her full transition to leadership in Indianapolis where she became a Math Instructional Coach for K-4th grade teachers and has now returned to Philadelphia to serve as a Professional Learning Specialist. Amy enjoys supporting students and teachers to make them leaders within their school and community.
Nick Bungard
With over 15 years in public education, Nick’s expertise and passion lies in cultivating engaging, healthy, and inclusive learning environments for children. Nick’s former role as a Dean of Students developed his deep understanding of culturally responsive pedagogy and restorative practices to build strong school communities and supercharge student learning. As a Professional Learning Specialist, Nick serves on a variety of projects to raise awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts and skills. Nick co-leads Tune Up Tuesday PD events each month for teachers, and supports newly hired teachers by creating and leading the Teacher Mentor Program. Nick supports LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families by creating the district’s ClubPRIDE website and leading crucial conversations across the district. Nick is a graduate of California University of Pa and Saint Vincent College and is excited to be a part of the SDP learning community! Nick’s certifications include: Principal PK-12 and Science/Biology 7-12.
Catherine Clever
After over ten years teaching elementary school in Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Miami, Catherine pivoted to instructional coaching in 2014, committing to the development teachers and leaders throughout Philadelphia. Catherine is passionate about equity-focused coaching and research-based early literacy practices, and approaches coaching as a partnership. She currently supports K-8 SBTLs through coaching and professional development, and manages the Exemplary Teaching Video Library. Catherine’s certifications include: Principal PK-12, Reading Specialist PK-12, and Elementary K-6.
Sharae Graham
Sharae is a third-generation educator who has served Philadelphia students and school communities as a French teacher since 2012. She holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Middlebury Language Schools. She taught English as a Foreign Language in a variety of settings in France, including K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning. As a teacher-leader, she developed and facilitated professional learning on Comprehension-based Communicative Language Teaching, purposeful integration of educational technology, and Culturally Responsive Teaching. She has presented at various conferences in the mid-Atlantic region. Sharae attributes her success as an educator to the support she received early in her career. As a result, she is passionate about supporting novice teachers by giving them practical, research-based tools and organizational systems designed to support the longevity of their careers. Sharae firmly believes that a teacher is only good as the principles that guide their instruction.
Cristina Hart
Cristina has spent her career serving students in high needs schools/neighborhoods first in Newark and Camden, New Jersey, then in Philadelphia at University City and John Bartram High Schools. By moving from elementary school to middle school to high school, Cristina realized that students arrive at school, sometimes despite myriad challenges, excited and curious. Her passion is found in nurturing and sustaining that excitement and curiosity. As a result, Cristina served in a range of school-based leadership positions before joining the Office of Teaching and Learning, first as a Consulting Teacher and now as a PLS. She looks forward to collaborating with school leaders and teachers to provide rich, rewarding teaching and learning opportunities to feed the excitement and curiosity of all involved. Cristina has earned a B.A. in English Literature from NYU, a M.A.L.S. from Dartmouth College, and an M.Ed. from Cabrini College, and holds certification for English, grades 7-12, and an Administrative PK-12 certificate.
Elizabeth Mc Anally
A Philadelphia educator since 1991, Elizabeth (Beth) has served as a general/choral music educator and teacher/leader at Fairhill Elementary and Wilson Middle School, and as a Consulting Teacher supporting new teachers in our district. She holds degrees from Nazareth College, Columbia University Teachers College, and Holy Family University. Her published work includes curriculum materials, articles in peer reviewed journals, and texts about middle school school general music and urban music education. In her “spare” time she consults for area arts organizations, and has been privileged to speak at a variety of state and national conferences. She is very passionate about providing the highest quality instruction for our city’s children and meaningful supports for teachers. Her work in the Office of Teaching and Learning includes #teachPHL, Induction, New Hire Orientation, and other initiatives related to Impactful professional development for teachers. Beth’s certifications include: Music K-12, Middle Years English, and Principal K-12.
Diane Messer
Diane has worked in education for over 35 years. She taught grades 1-12, general and special education for 21 years before moving into an instructional development role. Diane has been with the Office of Teaching and Learning for over 8 years. She has developed and facilitated professional learning for instructional leaders, coaches, teachers, and support staff. Diane grew up in Central and South America, but sadly has forgotten most of her Spanish. She has 2 almost-grown children and 2 dogs. She loves spending time in the wilderness, hiking and canoeing. She is an avid watercolorist and enjoys sewing. Her greatest joy, however, is in creating opportunities for learning. Diane currently holds Principal, Supervisor Special Education, Elementary, English, and Special Education certifications.
Jill Stevenson
Jill started her teaching career in 2006 as a middle school science teacher for the School district of Philadelphia. Over the past 15 years Jill has taught math, science, and special education at various grade levels. She also held the role of SBTL of Math/Science at Martin Luther King HS for three years. Jill earned a B.S in Secondary Science Education from Temple University, a M.S Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in special education, and a M.S Ed.in Educational Administration from Gwynedd-Mercy University. Jill is excited to start supporting High School SBTL through coaching and professional development.
Emily Work
Emily began her career in education teaching English abroad before returning home to Philadelphia in 2007 as a Philadelphia Corps member. Emily taught middle school math and science for six years in Philadelphia public and charter schools before transitioning to school leadership as an Assistant Principal of Instruction. In this role, Emily supported students and teachers in grades K-8 across a variety of content areas. For the last two years, Emily has worked as a Math Counts Specialist with Carnegie Learning to support mathematics instruction in Philadelphia public schools. She is passionate about collaborating with school leaders and teachers to ensure high quality, engaging learning experiences for students and is excited to return to the School District of Philadelphia as a Professional Learning Specialist. Emily has a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Her certifications include: PA Administrative Level I – PreK-12, Instructional II – Mid-level Mathematics 6-9, Instructional II – General Science 7-12.