At a ceremony on Tuesday, May 28, the Mayor’s Office of Education gave awards to 12 community members from each of Philadelphia’s 12 Community Schools, in honor of their work to support the Community Schools initiative.
Community Schools address neighborhoods’ unique challenges within public school settings. Each school has a full-time coordinator who gathers input on the school community’s most pressing challenges. Students, parents, teachers, and neighbors work with the coordinator to build partnerships and programs to address those challenges, and ensure that the school and surrounding community can support student success.
Chief Education Officer Otis Hackney and Community Schools Director of Operations Maxwell Akuamoah-Boateng led the awards ceremony at the Parkway Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. After remarks by Superintendent Dr. William Hite and Councilmember Helen Gym, each of the City’s 12 Community School Coordinators presented an award to a member of their school community.
Councilmember Al Taubenberger, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan, and Board of Education members Dr. Maria McColgan and Lee Huang also attended the celebration.
“This year’s honorees represent the diversity and strength of our school communities,” said Otis Hackney. “They are students, counselors, teachers, parents, neighbors, and more. Their ages range from 13 to 75, proving that being a champion for education is a lifelong role. Community Schools thrive when all community members are connected to the effort, and we’re grateful to this year’s award recipients for being active and caring participants in this initiative.”
Congratulations to all honorees including:
Officer Teresa Palmer, Cramp Elementary School
School Police Officer Teresa Palmer has been instrumental in ensuring the success of partnerships at Cramp this year. Officer Palmer stayed late and worked on weekends so that Cramp could offer adult education classes in the evening and host Community Saturday events during the spring. “Officer Palmer is an excellent police officer who makes sure that the students, parents and staff remain safe, and goes above and beyond to promote a warm and supportive environment in the school,” said Cramp Community School Coordinator William Reed. “She is a joy to be around, and we could not provide the programs we do without her.”
Troy Stratton, Dobbins CTE High School
Troy Stratton has taught at Dobbins for thirteen years, and is currently the school’s graphic arts teacher. In addition to teaching, Stratton is passionate about championing student-led initiatives at the school, and supports many after-school community events including the annual Dobbins Community Dinner and the school’s “Get Fit Saturdays” program. “In a Community School and Career Technical Education High School, our teachers can get pulled in many directions,” said Dobbins Community School Coordinator Charles Reyes. “This is why Mr. Stratton is so valued for what he does, as are all of our teachers.”
Kanika Watkins, F.S. Edmonds School
As the school’s dean of students, Kanika Watkins, known as “Dean Watkins” to the community, is diligent in her mission to support students and families. Dean Watkins regularly works with Robin Torrence, the F.S. Edmonds Community School Coordinator, to ensure that partnerships and events at the school run smoothly. Dean Watkins regularly stays at the school after hours to talk with students and families and help them find school-based solutions to their challenges. “I know I can always rely on Kanika to help the community feel engaged in the work I do,” said Torrence. “She helps bring people to the table and wants to see them succeed, and for that, I think she is deserving of this award.”
Frederick Cheatham, Edward Gideon School
Frederick, an eighth-grader at Gideon Elementary, is an active supporter of many community programs at Gideon this year. Frederick has volunteered at many school and community events, including the school’s monthly “First Monday” resource fair, and the monthly Philabundance food distribution program. “Frederick has demonstrated accountability, leadership, and trustworthiness – making him the perfect candidate for the Community School Award,” said Gideon Community School Coordinator Greg Wright.
Akeesha Washington, Samuel Gompers School
Akeesha Washington is a counselor at Gompers. Community School Coordinator Rennie Parker nominated her for the award, citing her “tireless work ethic and passion for improving the lives of her students.” Her dedication to ensuring families are living their healthiest lives has resulted in the creation of a brand-new Autism Sensory Room for the school, as well as the inaugural, week-long Student Mental Health Week the school held earlier this spring.
Elizabeth Orta, Kensington Health Sciences Academy (KHSA)
Elizabeth Orta, a KHSA parent, has championed the school’s goals and programs all year. Her service as parent rep for the School Advisory Committee allows her to support all students and families and ensure that they have a voice at the school. Her passion for outreach and inclusion was key when she helped Antonio Romero, KHSA Community School Coordinator, with an open house event focused on serving parents whose primary language was not English. “Elizabeth has truly embraced the Community School culture at KHSA,” said Romero. Her dedication has helped so many students and parents flourish and make the school even better. KHSA is blessed to have someone like Elizabeth walking these halls.”
Reverend Phyllis Harris, Alain Locke School
Reverend Phyllis Harris of Mount Pisgah AME Church believes that supporting her community also means being involved in all aspects of the community. Students and families can find Reverend Harris regularly volunteering at Locke Elementary, helping in classrooms, volunteering at community events, and being an all-around supportive presence in the school. “She is always at our Community School Meetings, and she is always at our events and school celebrations helping and being a positive presence for students and adults to look for. I am so grateful to have her in this community, and even more grateful to have her in Locke’s corner,” said Pam Evans, Locke Community School Coordinator.
Christine Salley, Logan Elementary
Christine Salley is a health educator with the Eat Right Philly program. For the last 6 years, Salley has worked with the Logan community to improve their lives through nutrition, physical exercise, and health education. She was recently part of the team that brought a SHARE food truck to the community, allowing students and families monthly opportunities to buy affordable produce. “The Logan community is enriched and healthier thanks to Christine. Christine has played a key role in helping us provide healthy food options to students, parents and community members,” said Logan principal Chaunika Sanders.
Lanayjah Turner, South Philadelphia High School
Lanayjah Turner, a senior at South Philadelphia High School, has used her time at the school to inspire and uplift her school community. She regularly participated in several community clothing giveaways throughout the year, including “Harper’s Bazaar,” a holiday event focused on supporting students in need of clothing and presents to give to their friends and family. With Lanayjah’s help, the school’s student council raised enough money for the first senior class trip in seven years. She continues to support her classmates, students and even partners with a smile and is always willing to help out. “I think she is stellar example of a Community School champion because her underclassman have accepted her dedication to constantly make Southern a better place,” said Janelle Harper, South Philadelphia H.S. Community School Coordinator.
Sulay Sosa, Southwark School
Sulay Sosa is a mother of two Southwark students and an active community volunteer. She regularly attends parent meetings and at times supports communication between staff and Spanish-speaking parents. Recently, Sosa was instrumental in creating the school garden, a space dedicated to giving students hands-on science education. Since Southwark became a Community School in 2016, Sosa has been a dedicated support and friend to Beth Dougherty, Southwark’s Community School Coordinator. “Sulay has really taken the Community Schools work and helped me run with it. She regularly helps with events, she’s always working with me to pass out information to our Spanish speaking families, and she often attends the parent workshops to learn about new ways to support her own family. I love her dedication and really appreciate her as a team member,” said Dougherty.
Yvonne Shervington, William Tilden Middle School
Yvonne Shervington has been a special education teacher at Tilden for nearly two decades. She has worked tirelessly to promote an atmosphere of integrity and equity for all students. She is the founder of Girl’s Day, a day at Tilden where young women at the school meet with local female leaders, including members of City Council and the business community. She is a frequent attendee of Community School Committee meetings and often helps out during major community events such as the Thanksgiving Dinner distribution with Eagles player Alshon Jeffery in November 2018. “Yvonne is such a support for this work,” said Tilden Community School Coordinator Regina Young. “She wants people to be engaged, and she wants this community to succeed and thrive. Her kindness and commitment to supporting Community Schools is evident in everything she does. I’m so happy to recognize her work with this award.”
Kimberly Britt, George Washington High School
Kim Britt works tirelessly on behalf of every child and parent who walks through the doors of George Washington High School. Britt wears many hats as the parent of a George Washington senior, as staff on the school’s climate support team, and as a member of the student activities council. In addition to these responsibilities, Britt takes great pride in running the school’s “Family Room,” a space where students, family and community members can get free clothes and other household items, use computers, and hold meetings. “She is an unrelenting advocate for even the most challenging of students, always ready to lend an ear, a hand, or a shoulder to cry on,” said Caitlyn Boyle, George Washington H.S. Community School Coordinator. “With her enormous heart and quiet fire, Ms. Britt has become indispensable to the community.”
