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

Mr. Victor Mercado
9th Grade Principal
vmercado@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: Temple University (BA), Cabrini University (MSEd)
Hobbies: Family, Gardening, Trying Out New Recipes
Favorite Book: Growing Up Puerto Rican by Paulette Cooper

Mr. Jon Kandrick
Climate Manager
jkandrick@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: West Chester University (BS, MPA)
Hobbies: Family, Athletics, Property Maintenance
Favorite Book: Good to Great by James Collins

Counseling

Mr. Robert Nelson
Lead Counselor
rmnelson@philasd.org
he/him/his
Education: Hartwick College (BS), Villanova University (MS)
Hobbies: Family, Outdoor activities, Playing guitar, Sports
Favorite Book: My Life and Hard Times by James Thurber

Ms. Raquel Francis
Counselor
rfrancis@philasd.org
she/her/hers

Ms. Eleonor Vasquez
Counselor
evasquez@philasd.org
she/her/hers

School Support

	Ms. Hope Black-Waller School Nurse hwaller@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: Drexel University (BSN), La Salle University (CSN) (Registered Nurse for 33 years) Hobbies: Traveling, Reading, Bible Education, Adventures Favorite Book: Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt		Ms. Judy Rodriguez Administrative Secretary jurodriguez @philasd.org she/her/hers Hobbies: Traveling, Helping Others Favorite Book: A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer		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. Gladys Garcia Bilingual Counseling Assistant ggarcia@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: SDP, CCP Hobbies: Watching horror movies, Playing cards, Walking, Spending time with my great nephews and nieces Favorite Book: Anything by James Patterson		Mr. Antonio Romero Community School Coordinator antonio.romero@phila.gov he/him/his Education: Education and Community Development Hobbies: Listening to music (All kinds, from all over the world), Dancing (mostly Salsa and Bachata), Eating, Playing dominos Favorite Book: The Alchemist by Paul Coelho		Ms. Megan Anger Community School Parent Engagement Vista megan.anger@phila.gov she/her/hers Education: Temple University, Studied abroad in Chile Hobbies: Interior design, Traveling Favorite Book: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (Current favorite)

Education Staff

Ms. Monique Adkins Health Related Technology Teacher madkins@philasd.org she/her/hers	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. Cheryl Boone Special Education Assistant ceboone @philasd.org she/her/hers
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	Ms. Iris Carrion Climate Support Staff icarrion@philasd.org she/her/hers	Ms. Christine Cesarone Math, Special Education Teacher, Yearbook Sponsor ccesarone2@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: LaSalle University (BA), Slippery Rock University (MsED), Studied abroad in Ireland Hobbies: Listening to music (especially concerts), Traveling through Europe, Cleaning (Yes—cleaning!)
Mr. Ed Colfer Special Education/Social Studies Teacher ecolfer@philasd.org he/him/his Hobbies: Tennis Favorite Book: Open by Andre Agassi	Ms. Shay Colombus 12+ Site Director, Post-Secondary Counselor ocolumbus@12plus.org she/her/hers Education: Columbus State University (BA), Studied abroad in South Korea Hobbies: Reading, Baseball, Karaoke, Mentorship Favorite Book: Heavy by Kiese Laymon	Ms. Michelle Desjardins English Teacher, Student Council Advisoory mdesjardins@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: University of Pittsburgh (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MsEd), Studied abroad in England Hobbies: Travel, Read, Trying new restaurants! Favorite Book: To Kill A Mockingbird or Animal Farm (This is really tough question!)
Roster Chair, Technology Chair, Testing Coordinator, SIS Coach hdoner@philasd.org he/him/his Education: University of Maryland (BA), Holy Family College (MSEd) Hobbies: Food, Gardening, Building stuff, Movies Favorite Book: The Godfather Series, The Original James Bond Series, Story of Civilization by Will Durant	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
Ms. Ebony Gant Dental Teacher egant@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: Dental Hygiene Hobbies: Fishing, Shopping, Spending time with family, Helping others Favorite Book: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck	Ms. Sarah Goldman Math Teacher, Cooking Club Sponsor, Math Lead Teacher sgoldman@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: University of Pittsburgh (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MsEd), Studied abroad in Argentina, South Africa Hobbies: Baking, Cooking, Drawing, Competitive horseback riding Favorite Book: Holes by Louis Sachar	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
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
Ms. Gianni Johnson Special Education English Teacher gjohnson2@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: Penn State University, Teach For America (Miami) Hobbies: Thrifting, Upcycling, and Styling Favorite Book: I don’t necessarily have a favorite book. However, I do enjoy reading fictional stories.	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	Mr. Joseph Jones Math Teacher jjones13@philasd.org he/him/his Education: Bucknell University (BA), Rowan University (MA), Temple University (MBA) Hobbies: Family (father of four boys), Reading, Home projects, Philadelphia professional sports teams Favorite Book: Ship of Gold by Gary Kinder
Ms. Nellie Kollar Science Teacher, Art Club Sponsor, Senior Sponsor nkollar@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: Temple University (BS), Drexel University (MSEd), Geologist Hobbies: Gardening, Rock climbing, Reading, and Hanging out with my dog Favorite Book: American Gods by Neil Gaiman	Ms. Billita Gavin LSS Teacher blockley@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: Cheyney University (BA), Arcadia University (MSEd), Gwynedd Mercy University (MSEd) Hobbies: Interior design, Traveling, Helping people with special needs! Favorite Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God By: Zora Neale Hurston	Mx. Maddie Luebbert English Teacher, 9th Grade Success Team Leader, Supporter of the 9th grade QSA mluebbert@philasd.org they/them/theirs Education: Temple University (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MSEd), Studied abroad in Argentina Hobbies: Riding my bike, Hanging out with my partner and my dog, Reading, Making things Favorite Book: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Ms. Markita Nash Bus Attendant mfreeman2@philasd.org she/her/hers	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. Kristian Ogungbemi Global Leadership Teacher, 12th Grade Success Team Sponsor, Student Council Co-Advisor kogungbemi@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: Drexel University (BA), University of Pennsylvania (MSEd), Studied abroad in Italy Hobbies: Cooking, Reading/writing, Dancing, Solving puzzles, Playing games Favorite Book: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Ms. Kayla Palmer Climate Support kepalmer@philasd.org she/her/hers	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. Paul Prescod Social Studies Teacher, National Honors Society Advisor pprescod@philasd.org he/him/his Education: Temple University (BA and Teaching Certificate) Hobbies: Seeing live music, Sports, Traveling, Reading Favorite Book: The Black Jacobins by C.L.R. James
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. Shanae Roberts Math Teacher sdroberts@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: West Chester University (BA), Temple University (MSEd), Montgomery Community College (Associates in Business Administration) Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Biking, Exploring the World, Enjoying a good board game! Favorite Book: Self-Meditation (This is one of the books I am currently reading.) I do not have any favorites. I am constantly impressed by newer books I read.	Dr. Sarah Lee Ryan LS Teacher, SPECM, Spanish Teacher, Yoga Club Sponsor spaulk@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: UCLA (BA), Rutgers (MSEd), Arcadia University (EDD) Hobbies: Yoga, Dance, Photography, Reading Favorite Book: Stories of Horacio Quiroga and We Have Always Lived in a Castle by Shirley Jackson
Ms. Aimee Shelton Sports Medicine/Rehab Aide Teacher ashelton2@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: Temple University (BS), Eastern University (MSEd), Trips to Alaska and the Navajo Nation Hobbies: Hiking, Running, Kayaking, Paddle boarding, Cycling (Outdoor and indoor) Favorite Book: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein	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. Denesta Smith Bus Attendant denesmith@philasd.org she/her/hers
Ms. Kara Stephens 12+Post-Secondary Counselor kstephens@12plus.org she/her/hers Education: Brooklyn College (BA), Studied abroad in England Hobbies: Watching documentaries, Reading, Learning TikTok dances, and Supporting my students! Favorite Book: Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin	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. Cheryl Watts Special Education Assistant cwatts@philasd.org she/her/hers
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	Brianna Christian 12+ College and Career Counselor bchristian@12Plus.org They/Them/Theirs Education: Cultural Anthropologist, Studied abroad in Japan Hobbies: Photography, Anti-racism/Anti-colonialism, Podcasts, Watching all of the TV Favorite Book: Paradise by Toni Morrison