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

	Ms. Haley Bonner Counselor for A-G 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. Robert Nelson Lead Counselor for H-Q 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. Eleonor Vasquez Counselor R-Z evasquez@philasd.org she/her/hers
	Ms. Helen Ard 12+ Advisor hard@12plus.org she/her/hers Education: Lehigh University (BS in Global Studies and Economics), Rutgers University-Camden (MA in Childhood Studies) Hobbies: Taking long walks, Hiking, Eating (I love bread!), Traveling, Buying books and forgetting to read them, Cat memes/TikToks Favorite Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini		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. Diego Joseph Philadelphia Futures and Stepping Stone Scholars: College Accessibility and Equity Advisor djoseph@philadelphiafutures.org he/him/his Education: Gettysburg College (BS) College Student IT Manager, College House Leader, College Multicultural Ambassador for Admissions Hobbies: Researcher and Pop Culture Enthusiast Favorite Book: Heroic: The Surprising Path to True Manhood by Bill Delvaux
	Ms Tenelle Walden 12+ Site Advisor twalden@12plus.org she/her/them/them Education: Associates in Human Services, Business Administration, Behavior Health Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Intake Coordinator, Outreach Specialist, Youth Leader Hobbies: Swimming, Singing, Liturgical Flagging/dance, Poetry, Playwriting, Writing, Reading, Community Engagement, Working with You Favorite Book: Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind by Joyce Meyer		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) (Registered Nurse for 33 years) 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. 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. Barry Williams Community School Coordinator bwilliams2@phila.gov he/him/his

Education Staff

Ms. Monique Adkins Health Related Technology Teacher madkins@philasd.org she/her/hers	Ms. Wanda Ashby Special Education Teacher washby@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: Saint Joseph’s University (BS-Heath Administration), Saint Joseph’s University (MS-Educational Leadership), Eastern University (MS Curriculum & Instruction)	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!	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!)	Ms. Paige Cole Special Education Assistant pcole@philasd.org she/her/hers
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	Mr. Hal Doner 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. 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	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	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. Gianni Johnson Relationships First Coach 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.	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
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. 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. 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
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)	Ms. Jennifer Pour ESOL Teacher jmpour@philasd.org she/her/hers Education: University of Virginia (BA in English Literature/Italian), University of Kentucky (MA in TESOL) Hobbies: Birding, Hiking lite, Traveling to national/state parks, Reading, Gardening, Learning Spanish Favorite Book: There There by Tommy Orange (and many more…)	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. Barbara Sharpe Science Teacher bsharpe@philasd.org
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. 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. 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. 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