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 |
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! | ![]() | Ms. Carmen, Ms. Brenda, Ms. Lucy Food Services Hobbies: Making us smile with morning smoothies! |