School Staff

Administration

Ms. Nimet Eren
Principal
neren@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Harvard University (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MsEd, EDD)
Hobbies: Running, Gardening, Art
Favorite Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Ms. Madeline Santos Jackmon
Assistant Principal
mjackmon@philasd.org
Ms. Morgan Markbreiter
Assistant Principal
mmarkbreiter@philasd.org

Counseling

COUNSELORS:
Ms. Haley Bonner
Counselor for all 11th and 12th A-Fer
hbonner@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: East Stroudsburg University (BS-Psychology) (MS-Counseling Psychology with Specialization in School Counseling)
Hobbies: Family, Reading, Traveling, Movies
Favorite Book: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Mr. Steven Delturk
Lead Counselor for all 10th and 12th Fig-Mon
sdelturk@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: Moravian College (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MSEd, MPhilEd)
Hobbies: Quality time with loved ones, enjoying the arts, writing poetry, being outside, learning, trying new things
Favorite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Ms. Eleonor Vasquez
Counselor for all 9th and 12th Mor-Z
evasquez@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: University (BA), University (MsEd)
Mr. Tim Atwood
Philadelphia Futures and Stepping Stone Scholars: Associate Director of High Schools - Kensington
timatwood@philadelphiafutures.org
he/him/his
Education: Sociology from Saint Joseph's University (BS), West Chester University (MEd)
Hobbies: I love doing DIY projects around my home and riding as many roller coasters as possible!
Favorite Book: Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt
Mr. Kyle Morgan
Philly Heights College Counselor
kmorgan@heights.org
Ms. Rhiannon Palmere
12+College Counselor
rpalmere@12plus.org
Mr. Andre Thomas
Philly Heights College Counselor
athomas@heights.org
Ms. Amanda Yin
12+ Site Director and Advisor
ayin@12plus.org
she/her/hers
Education: Long Beach City College (Associate's in Child Development: Early Childhood Education), California State University, Long Beach (BS in Child Development and Family Studies)
Hobbies: Crocheting, Art, Cooking and Baking
Favorite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

School Support

Ms. Hope Black-Waller
School Nurse
hwaller@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Drexel University (BSN), La Salle University (CSN), Western Governor’s University (MSN)
Hobbies: Traveling, Reading, Bible Education, Adventures
Favorite Book: Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Ms. Liz Vargas
Administrative Secretary
lvargas@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Officer Ryan Smith
School Safety Officer
rjsmith@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: SDP Safety Training, Criminal Justice, SDP Safety Advisor Team
Hobbies: Teaching, Training, Coaching, Mentoring, Basketball, Distance running
Favorite Book: All of them!
Ms. Lilibeth Castillo
Community School Coordinator
lilibeth.castillo@phila.gov
Mr. Barry Williams
Community School Coordinator
bwilliams2@phila.gov
he/him/his
Ms. Nesha Newton
School Safety Officer
nnewton@philasd.org

Education Staff

Ms. Monique Adkins
Health Related Technology Teacher
madkins@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Ms. L’Shaye Bryant Freeman
School Climate Staff – 7 Hours
lbryantfreeman@philasd.org
Mr. Dave Beck
History Teacher, School DJ
dbeck@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: Temple University (BS), Neumann University (MS)
Hobbies: Anything involving my dog, Running, Traveling
Favorite Book: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
Ms. Jen Bertele
Special Education Assistant
jbertele@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Ms. Cheryl Boone
Special Education Assistant
ceboone @philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Geneva College
Hobbies: Puzzles, Water aerobics, Pilates, and Boxing 
Favorite Book: Reclaiming God’s Original Purpose for Your Life
Ms. Luci Bower
English Teacher, Senior Success Team Leader
lbower@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Kutztown University of PA, Delaware Valley College
Hobbies: Reading, Movies, Gardening, Going to the beach!
Favorite Book: Outlander, Cold Mountain
Meredith Cawley
Special Education Teacher
mcawley@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Temple University (BS, MSEd)
Hobbies: Camping, hiking, art, reading, gardening
Favorite Book: Anything by Octavia Butler!
Mr. Ed Colfer
Special Education/Social Studies Teacher
ecolfer@philasd.org
he/him/his
Hobbies: Tennis
Favorite Book: Open by Andre Agassi
Halana Dash
French Teacher
hdash@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Temple University (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MSEd), Worked as a teacher in France
Hobbies: Hiking, watching Seinfeld, Crocheting & Making homemade cards, Reading
Favorite Book: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Ms. Jill DeGregorio
Dental Assisting Teacher
jdegregorio@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Mr. Oumar Diawara
Math Teacher
odiawara@philasd.org
Ms. Nikki Dunn
Science Teacher, 11th Grade Success Team Leader, Martial Arts Club Sponsor
ndunn@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Temple University (BA), Penn State University (MsEd)
Hobbies: Martial Arts, Reading, Soccer, Crafts
Favorite Book: Protector of the Small by Tamora Pierce
Ms. Jenifer Felix
ELL/Spanish Teacher, 11th Grade Success Team Leader, ELL Lead, Music Club
jfelix@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Virginia Wesleyan College (BA), Regent University (MsEd)
Hobbies: Plants, Animals, People, Cooking, Reading
Favorite Book: Anything by Gabriel Garcia Márquez
Mr. Ethan Feuer
English Teacher
efeuer@philasd.org
Ms. Kristen Frasier
Biology Teacher
kfrasier@philasd.org
Ms. Colleen Grelis
ELL Teacher, 9th Grade Success Team Leader
cjgrelis@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: West Chester University (BSEd, MA)
Hobbies: Traveling, Reading, Chauffeuring my children
Favorite Book: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ms. Danielle Grodek
ELL Teacher
dpaumardgrodek@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: The Ohio State University (BA), California University of Pennsylvania (MSEd)
Hobbies: Sewing, Cooking, Hiking, and Hanging out with my cat
Favorite Book: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Mr. Jim Hardy
Spanish Teacher, Kensington Soccer Club Founder, Arabic Club Sponsor
jehardy@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: Temple University College (BS), Certificate of Nonprofit Management, Studied abroad in Argentina and Costa Rica
Hobbies: Attending community meetings, Listening to history podcasts, Spending time with my parents, and Watching Philadelphia Union games
Favorite Book: A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Mr. John Humes
LSS Teacher
jhumes@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: BS, MSEd
Hobbies: Guitar, Tinkering/Fixing/Building, Fishing
Favorite Book: The Bible
Ms. Angela Iovine
ELATeacher, 10th Grade Success Team Leader, SBTL
aiovine@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Temple University (BA), Long Island University (Certificate in ELL), Chestnut Hill College (MSEd)
Hobbies: All things related to food and culture, Traveling and exploring new places, Hiking
Favorite Book: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Mr. Gregory Isaacs
AP Government/Social Studies Teacher, Athletic Director, Girls Basketball and Softball Coach
gdisaacs@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: Temple University
Hobbies: Fishing, Hiking, Cooking, Sports
Favorite Book: Any good biography
"Ms. Maya Jonsson
Social Studies Teacher
mjonsson@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Bryn Mawr College (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MSEd)
Hobbies: Art, Film, Cooking, Reading, and Dancing 
Favorite Book: Most recent favorite is For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki "
Jef Kolman
Graphic Arts Teacher
jkolman@philasd.org
he/him/they/them
Education: Tyler School of Art (BFA), Maryland Institute College of Art (MAAE in Art Education)
Hobbies: Drawing/digital illustration, cinephile, gaming, comic books
Favorite Book: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Ms. Billita Lockley
School Safety Officer
blockley@philasd.org
Ms. Elena Marcovici
Social Studies Teacher
emarcovici@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Haverford College (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MsEd)
Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Dancing, Puzzles
Favorite Book: I have too many to pick just one! But, the last book I read is The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier.
Mr. Carl Morrow
Math Teach
cmorrow@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: West Chester University (BA, MA); American University (MBA); Relay Graduate School of Education (Graduate Alternate Route Certification); Graduate Coursework in Higher Education, Organizational Leadership
Hobbies: Ministry Leadership, Promoting College Readiness, Business Education, and Leadership Development
Favorite Book: The Bible, Good to Great by Jim Collins (and his other books as well)
Ms. Devonia Mourning
Math Teacher
dmourning@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Lincoln University (BS, MEd)
Hobbies: Yoga, Reading, Bowling, Shopping, Puzzling, Watching movies
Favorite Book: What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by E. Lynn Harris
Ms. Davida Newsome
School Climate Specialist
dnewsome@philasd.org
Ms. Sally O’Brien
English Teacher, Spoken Word and Poetry Club Coach
sobrien@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Swarthmore College (BA), Arcadia University 2009 (MAEd)
Hobbies: Reading, Taking my son on adventures on my bike, Beginning gardening
Favorite Book: I never know how to answer this question! But there are some books that hold up to rereading over and over and the one I'm rereading right now is Homer's Odyssey.
Ms. Toshara Odom
Medical Teacher
todom@philasd.org
Mr. Jon Osborn
Special Education Teacher
josborn@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: University of Delaware (BA), Eastern University (MSEd)
Hobbies: Taking day trips with my family. We love snowboarding, skiing, hiking and going to the beach. I also enjoy studying Late Roman History from roughly 400 to 800.
Favorite Book: Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe by Judith Herrin
Ms. Keenya Phillips
Special Education Teaching Assistant
kphillips@philasd.org
Mr. Frank Pinzarrone
Special Education Teacher
fpinzarrone@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: Masters in Reading, Masters in Educational Leadership, Teacher of Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 5 years
Hobbies: Technology Geek, DJ/KJ, Football, Baseball
Favorite Book: Dark Knight (graphic novel)
"Mr. Shane Quinn
Health and PE Teacher, Boys Soccer Coach
squinn@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: Marywood University (BS and MA)
Hobbies: Being physically active, Sports-based youth development, Coaching, Reading
Favorite Book: Life is Not an Accident by Jay Williams"
Ms. Helen Rowe
English Teacher
hrowe@philasd.org
Mr. Roman Savedra
Math Teacher
rsavedra@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: California State University - Long Beach (BS Physics), University of Pennsylvania (MSEd STEM Education)
Hobbies: Cooking, watching sports, learning about space, learning how cars work
Favorite Book: The Theoretical Minimum by Leonard Susskind

Ms. Kristina Schneider
Special Education Teacher
kschneider@philasd.org
Ms. Barbara Sharpe
Science Teacher
bsharpe@philasd.org
Mr. Mike Smaczylo
Art Teacher
msmaczylo@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: University of the Arts (BA), Tyler School of Art and Architecture Temple University (MEd)
Hobbies: Making art, Listening to and playing music, Watching Philly sports, Cooking (especially breakfast and barbecue)
Favorite Book: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
Ms. Ina Thomas
School Support
ijthomas@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Bachelor's Degree Elementary Education and Special Education with a Minor in Criminal Justice
Hobbies: Reading, Watching educational documentaries, Community involvement
Favorite Book: Malcolm X
Ms. Michelle Thomas
Special Education Teacher Special Education Teaching Assistant
mthomas2@philasd.org
Ms. Abby Vogel
Math Coach
avogel@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: University of Wisconsin (BA, MSEd)
Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Watching sports
Favorite Book: Know My Name by Chanel Miller
Ms. Rose West
Special Education Assistant, Luv4All Leader
rwest@philasd.org
she/her/they/them
Education: JNA Catering School, NRA and Food Service Sanitation License
Hobbies: Working, Traveling, Helping others
Ms. Jileesa Williams
Biology Teacher, 10th Grade Success Team Leader
jwilliams10@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Education: Drexel University (BS), Holy Family University (MSEd)
Hobbies: Reading, Sewing, Playing with my sons
Favorite Book: Too many favorites! Current read: Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Cafeteria and Building Staff

Mr. James Palmer
Building Engineer
jaepalmer@philasd.org
he/him/his
Hobbies: Making KHSA the most beautiful school in the city!
Ms. Nancy Palmer
Building Assistant
napalmer@philasd.org
she/her/hers
Hobbies: Helping make KHSA the most beautiful school in the city!
Mr. Joel, Ms. Theresa, Ms. Carmen, Ms. Brenda
Food Services
Hobbies: Making us smile with morning smoothies!
Ms. Nancy, Mr. Palmer, Ms. Elaine, and Mr. Frank
Building Team
Hobbies: Keeping KHSA sparkle!