PHILADELPHIA – Tuesday, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker was presented with the names of 27 candidates to be considered for appointment to the nine seats on Philadelphia’s Board of Education. The Mayor’s Educational Nominating Panel—a committee of 13 members entrusted to identify qualified candidates for the Board of Education—convened its second public meeting Tuesday evening to announce the names, as mandated by the City’s Charter.
The mayor now has ten days to consider the candidates or ask for more names if needed. In the event Mayor Parker requires additional names, the panel would have another ten days to identify qualified candidates to put forward. The mayor would then have ten days from receipt t to finalize the nine names she will deliver to Philadelphia City Council for advice and consent.
The 27 candidates for the Board of Education are as follows:
Sarah-Ashley Andrews
Sarah-Ashley Andrews is a licensed professional counselor, born in Philadelphia and is a product of the Philadelphia public school system. She studied Mass Communications at Bloomsburg University and graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a Bachelor of Art degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in Human Services. Andrews holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Lincoln University.
Nakia Carr
Nakia Carr is a 48-year-old single mother of three and grandparent of four and a lifelong resident of Point Breeze. She is a member of the Police Department Advisory Council for the 17th Police District, and the former President of Prep Charter Parent and Community Advisory (CPAC). Carr serves as the District Office Manager for State Representative Jordan Harris.
Timothy Crowther
Timothy Crowther is the Political and Legislative Director of the International Union of Painters and
Allied Trades District Council 21 (IUPAT DC21). Crowther focus is leading legislative efforts to strengthen workers’ rights and labor standards. Since 2014, Crowther’s served as a business agent building relationships with people throughout the industry to create family-sustaining jobs. During this time, Crowther also served as an instructor at the Finishing Trades Institute of Philadelphia.
Crystal Cubbage
Crystal Cubbage is a graduate of the Philadelphia public school system, who studied Physics at Lincoln University and received a master’s degree in School Leadership from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Cubbage began her career as an Electronics Engineer at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio and served as an Education Volunteer with the Peace Corps, in Cameroon, West Africa. In 1996, she transitioned from engineering to education, teaching physics and chemistry at Girard College, The Shipley School, and Germantown Friends’ School. She’s also worked at Jobs for the Future and started her own non-profit, Teachable Moments. Currently, Cubbage serves as the Executive Director for the Philadelphia Learning Collaborative.
Leticia Egea-Hinton
Leticia Egea-Hinton is a native New Yorker, who came to Philadelphia as a teenager. She is the first in her family born stateside from parents who were from Puerto Rico; the first to receive a High School Diploma; and the first to pursue a higher education. Leticia has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Chestnut Hill College, a Master of Arts. in Public Administration from Antioch University and received her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. She has an extensive career in Social Services that spans 40 years. Leticia previously served on the Philadelphia Board of Education, acting as Vice-president from 2018 until December 2022, chairing the Superintendent search and Governance Workgroup and co-chairing the Finance and Facilities Committee.
Cindy Farlino
Cindy Farlino began her involvement with education as an active public-school parent in the Home and School Association at Feltonville Elementary School, where she led the effort to establish the Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences. At age 40, she began to pursue a career in teaching and received her master’s degree with a teaching certification from the University of Pennsylvania. For 25 years, she worked for the School District of Philadelphia as a teacher, Director of Instruction for 39 schools, and a Principal at Meredith Elementary School. Farlino is now retired and working for Children First managing a project to integrate arts teaching and learning.
Mark Gittelman
For 32 years, Gittelman led the PNC Legal Department group. Prior to joining PNC Bank, he primarily represented institutional lenders and senior secured creditors at Blank Rome LLP. Gittelman is also the founder and previous Chair of PNC’s Pro Bono program, and the former Board President of Support Center for Child Advocates. Today, he serves as Board Treasurer for both Support Center for Child Advocates and the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and continues to take on pro bono engagements.
Cheryl Harper
Cheryl Harper graduated from Germantown High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Cheyney University, in Elementary and Special Education, her Master of Science. from Arcadia University and holds certifications in Elementary and Special Education, Elementary and Secondary Principals, Educational Supervisor and Superintendent. She worked for the School District of Philadelphia as a teacher, vice-principal and Director of Human Resources. She was the Director of Human Resources for the Camden Public School District and was appointed by Governor Ed Rendell as a Distinguish Educator for the PA Department of Education. Cheryl was a Site Director and Adjunct Professor for Drexel University while supervising student teachers, and is currently a Trustee for Cheyney University, appointed by Governor Tom Wolf.
Keola Harrington
Keola Harrington is a proud graduate of the Philadelphia public school system and a first-generation college graduate. She received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania. Harrington served three years with AmeriCorps teaching in Philadelphia public schools. Harrington previously worked at the City of Philadelphia, leading the Department of Commerce and successfully diversifying the City’s $8.5 billion bond portfolio as Assistant City Treasurer. Recently, the Philadelphia Parking Authority appointed Harrington to serve as its Chief Financial Officer.
Michael Henderson
Michael Henderson is an entrepreneur working in Philadelphia. He has held key leadership positions in healthcare and education, most recently as Vice President for Research for Lifespan Health System, a clinical affiliate of Brown University and the largest health system in Rhode Island. Prior to his work at Lifespan, Henderson served as Associate Vice President for Research Regulatory Compliance and Strategic Initiatives at Temple University and Associate University Counsel for Temple University. Henderson received his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law and Master of Laws from Temple University with a concentration in corporate taxation. Henderson also holds a master’s degree in Neuropharmacology from Dartmouth Medical School. He received his Bachelor in Science, with honors, from Lincoln University.
Jameika Id-Deen
Jameika Id-Deen resides in Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek neighborhood and was educated in the public school system. A graduate of Germantown-Lankenau High School, Id-Deen received a bachelor’s degree from Arcadia University. She serves as a member of the Parent and Community Advisory Council to the Philadelphia Board of Education. A mother of seven, Id-Deen has a neuro-diverse daughter and has a coaching certification in IEP drafting and consultations.
David Irizarry
David Irizarry is currently Delaware County’s Superintendent of Juvenile Justice Services. Previously, David served as Deputy Director of Philadelphia’s first ever Office of Violence Prevention, a City department tasked to aid in the citywide reduction of gun violence. David also worked as the Assistant Managing Director for Philadelphia’s Youth Violence Reduction Partnership (YVRP), which is a multi-agency effort that aims to reduce youth homicides in Philadelphia’s most notoriously crime driven neighborhoods. Irizarry graduated with honors from Cheyney University and earned his master’s degree in counseling from Wilmington University. David has dedicated his life to servant-leadership and improving the lives of those from underserved populations.
Dominique Johnson
Dominique Johnson currently serves as the Special Events and Training Coordinator at Achieve Reunification Center, a program under the Philadelphia Department of Human Services dedicated to supporting parents with dependency cases. Johnson founded Horizon Youth Experience, a community youth program designed to create positive life experiences for underserved youth through exploratory activities and leadership development. Johnson newest project is “This Dope Jawn,” a space designed to build community among African Americans, with a focus on women.
Whitney Jones
Whitney Jones is the Chief Financial Officer at Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC), a mental and behavioral health nonprofit serving children and their families. Whitney comes to CCTC from the KIPP network of schools where he held financial leadership positions in the Philadelphia and San Antonio regions. Prior to KIPP, Whitney served as the School Finance Specialist at the DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB), monitoring charters’ financial stability and ensuring adherence to federal and local laws. Jones also served as a Client Manager with EdTec, dedicated to supporting charter schools’ financial and operational needs. Whitney began his career at Moody’s Corporation, working in both public finance credit ratings and strategic planning. He received his Master of Educational Leadership from the Broad Center (merged with the Yale School of Management in 2021), his Master of Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University.
ChauWing Lam
ChauWing Lam has served on the Philadelphia Board of Education since 2022. She previously worked for the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Superintendent and Office of Evaluation, Research and Accountability. Lam is passionate about improving the lives of children and families. She is currently the Operations Director of the Gun Violence Intervention and Coordination Center. Lam immigrated to the United States as a child and is the parent of an eight-year-old who attends a public charter school.
Letisha Laws
Letisha Laws is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education at Drexel University, with her research focusing on exploring the lived experiences of Black principals leading in high-poverty schools. She is dedicated to impacting inner-city youth and has been an education professional since 2001. Laws graduated from Temple University in 2003 with a bachelor’s in organizational management and continued her studies at Eastern University, earning a master’s in multicultural education. Her career in the charter school sector includes roles as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and principal manager. She currently serves as the Senior Program Officer at Elevate 215.
Maddie Luebbert
Maddie Luebbert has taught in the School District of Philadelphia for seven years. A lifelong Philadelphian, Luebbert attended parochial and public schools in the city before earning a Bachelor of Arts at Temple University and a Master of Science in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Luebbert has spent the last decade as a vocal advocate for Philadelphia’s public school system, especially for neighborhood schools and for the LGBTQIA community. They grew up in the Fairmount area and now live in Kensington with their partner and pets.
Colleen McCauley
Colleen McCauley is the proud parent of a 2021 Philadelphia School District graduate and has spent her career as a nurse, public health professional and policy leader to fight to advance children’s health and well-being. McCauley has two decades of experience as Health Policy Director at Children’s First, working to reduce the dropout rate and connect students to mental, dental, vision and reproductive health care and public health insurance. McCauley also led several successful public policy campaigns to pass lead paint poisoning prevention laws at the City, suburban and state levels. McCauley worked for a decade at a nurse-run, community health center in the Abbottsford Homes, and currently works at the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers. McCauley is a board member of We R.E.I.G.N and volunteers with Level Up Philly, Lift Every Voice and the Maternity Care Coalition. McCauley has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Health from Temple University.
Cheryl Mobley-Stimpson
Cheryl Mobley-Stimpson is a fourth generation Philadelphian and graduate of the Philadelphia School District. She has a diverse background in education, leadership development, and community outreach. She completed a doctoral candidacy in Educational Leadership and has a J.D. in Law. She is a former public-school teacher and has a very strong foundation in academia, the legal field and legislative arena. Her education includes PhD/ABD in Educational Leadership (Penn State University Fellow), a J.D. in Law (Howard University, Moot Court Team) and a master’s degree in educational media and instructional technology (Ohio State University Fellow). She also has a background in elementary education (Cheyney University Humphreys Scholar) and has experience as an adjunct professor.
Wanda Novales
Wanda Novales is the Executive Pastor of City Reach Church, with two local campuses including one in the heart of Kensington. Prior to her faith leadership, she was the founding CEO and Principal Pan American Charter School, an International Baccalaureate school in partnership with Congreso de Latinos Unidos. With extensive experience in teaching and leading in Philadelphia’s public district and charter schools, she brings insight and a valuable perspective. Novales is currently serving as a board member of the Tacony Civic Association and the Philadelphia Gospel Movement. Novales has a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Cheyney University, and a Superintendent’s letter of eligibility from Arcadia University.
Michelle Palmer
Michelle Palmer became Executive Director of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia in February 2021, the culmination of decades of work in the field of education. As a teacher and administrator at Germantown Friends School for the past 17 years, Palmer has worked closely with students, faculty, and staff on strategic initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Palmer was born and raised in Philadelphia and is a proud graduate of Central High School. Palmer has a Master of Science in Education in Instructional Technology from Arcadia University, a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from New School University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Temple University.
Lisa Salley
Lisa Salley is the founder of Heritage Solutions Group, a boutique strategic growth consultancy focused on economic development from ESG and commercialization of emerging technologies that enable net carbon reduction and accelerate the 2050 energy grid. She serves on several boards including Blacks in Energy, a regional manufacturing consortium, and the Philadelphia Board of Education. She also sits on the Alumni Board of the Materials Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University. Salley hails from Philadelphia, wants every Philadelphia Student to pursue life dreams and is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is also a member of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Marisa Shaaban
Marisa Shaaban is a 20-year resident of Philadelphia and the parent of three children who attend Philadelphia public schools. Shaaban has served as the Director of Government Relations for the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council and currently serves as the Director of Constituent Affairs for a PA State Representative Ben Waxman. Shaaban is a member of the Board of Education’s Parent and Community Advisory Committee, is an elected Committee Person and Secretary for Ward 5, Vice President of the Washington Square West Civic Association, Vice President of the Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition, and serves on City Year’s Women’s Leadership Committee.
Joan Stern
Joan Stern has been a practicing attorney since graduating from Temple University Law School in 1977. She joined Blank Rome as an associate, became the second woman in Pennsylvania to practice public finance law, and was elected partner in 1983. Stern served in a series of leadership roles at Blank Rome before joining the law firm of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC as a Partner in the Public Finance Practice. From 1977 to September 2023 (when she retired from private law practice), she served as bond counsel and special counsel to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia. She continues to be active in the civic and cultural life of the city. Stern attended schools in the School District of Philadelphia from kindergarten through graduation and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
Reginald Streater
Reginald L. Streater, a steadfast believer in public education as a fundamental right, is a Germantown High School alumnus with two children in Philadelphia public schools. He currently serves as the President of the Philadelphia Board of Education. He is an attorney at Feldman Shepherd specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, and civil rights. His previous roles include working for Judge Theodore McKee in the Federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. Streater earned his Juris Doctorate from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he also completed a bachelor’s degree in political science and African American studies. He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Barristers’ Association.
Cecelia Thompson
Cecelia Thompson is the proud parent of a 25-year-old young man living with autism, which inspired her to serve as an advocate for those living with disabilities and their families. As a current member of the Board of Education, Thompson champions students living with disabilities and their families. She is the original committee chairperson of the Parent and Community Advisory Council, participated in the Superintendent search, and participates on the Policy Committee. As a Director of Trustees for the Philadelphia Intermediate Unit 26, Thompson ensures scholars in all Philadelphia schools living with disabilities in district-run and public charter schools receive the needed support and services. Her additional servitude includes roles as Chairperson of the Philadelphia Right to Education Local Task Force, past secretary and current Panel Member for the Governor Appointed Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), mayoral appointment member and past chairperson of the Philadelphia Commission for People with Disabilities, member of the DBHIDS County Leadership Team, member of the Philadelphia Transition Council, Community Behavior Health Family Member Committee, Philadelphia Autism Project Advisory Board member, Peer with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education Cyclical Monitoring Team and Philadelphia City Planning Steering Committee member.
Joyce Wilkerson
Joyce Wilkerson has an extensive career in public service. Wilkerson is currently on the Board of Education where she’s served as president for four years leading the Board as it pioneered its Student Outcome Focused Governance approach and adopted the District’s Goals and Guardrails. Before her appointment to the Board, Wilkerson chaired the School Reform Commission where she oversaw the return to local control. Wilkerson began her career in Philadelphia as an attorney with Community Legal Services, and later served as Chief of Staff to Mayor John Street. She helped to stabilize the Philadelphia Gas Works and chaired the board of the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Following her work as Chief of Staff to Mayor Street, she became Executive Director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and Senior Advisor to the President of Temple University. Wilkerson is currently on the Executive Committee of the Council of the Great City Schools, the Board Directors of Project Home where she chairs the Healthcare Committee, the Board of the Independence Foundation and the Board of Scribe Video Center.