Principal: Chris Lehmann – clehmann [at] scienceleadership [dot] org –Chris is the founding principal of the Science Leadership Academy, a progressive science and technology high school in Philadelphia, PA. The Science Leadership Academy is an inquiry-driven, project-based, 1:1 laptop school that is considered to be one of the pioneers of the School 2.0 movement nationally and internationally. The school was recognized by Ladies Home Journal as one of the Ten Most Amazing Schools in the US, has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School in 2009 and 2010 and has been written about in many publications including Edutopia Magazine, EdWeek and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Chris returned to his native Philadelphia after nine years as an English Teacher, Technology Coordinator, Girls Basketball Coach and Ultimate Frisbee coach at the Beacon School in New York City, one of the leading urban public schools for technology integration.

In June 2010, Chris was named as one of the "30 Most Influential People in EdTech" by Technology & Learning Magazine. In 2009, Chris was a honoree for the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development's Outstanding Young Educator Award. Chris was named as one of "40 Under 40" by Philadelphia Business Journal in 2009. In 2006, the National School Board Association named Chris one of "20 to Watch" among American administrators. In 2001, Chris was honored by MOUSE as a Champion of Technology and Education for his work on building the portal at the Beacon School. Chris has written for such education publications as Principal Leadership Magazine, Learning and Leading with Technology Magainze, and the School Library Journal. Chris has spoken at conferences all over the world, including TEDxNYED, the National Association of Secondary Schools Conference, the Building Learning Communities conference, the National Educational Computing Conference, the Philadelphia Area Educational Technology Conference, The Yahoo Cybercitizen Conference, the Innovative Learning Conference, The Council of Educational Facilities Planners Regional Conference, the K12-Online Conference, the International Conference on Technology and Education and at LinuxWorld, and he has worked with many schools and districts in the U.S. and England as a consultant. Chris received his B.A. in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.A. in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Chris is the author of the education blog Practical Theory: http://www.practicaltheory.org and is father to Jakob and Theo.

Development Coordinator: Jon Amsterdam – jamsterdam [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Jon boasts a twenty year career in youth leadership and citizenship development work. He has founded and directed a number of nationally recognized youth community service programs, assisted in the creation of the Americorps national service program, and developed the design of many popular project based learning initiatives across the country. As a trained lawyer he has taught high school civics and other Law Related Education curricula, as well as served as a Service Learning Instructor at Temple University. 

Most recently he managed a University of Pennsylvania sponsored multicultural civic engagement program bringing together students from eighty of Philadelphia's city and suburban high schools for collaborative public problem solving experiences. His broad background in community based pedagogy makes him a perfect fit for SLA.

History: Matt Baird – mbaird [at] scienceleadership [dot] org –Matt is a 20 year veteran teacher who has been with SLA since the school opened in 2006. Previously he taught at several Quaker schools in the Philadelphia area and in Costa Rica.  At SLA Matt teaches history to 9th and 12th graders, coaches girls soccer and chess, and coordinates student-teaching placements from local colleges and universities. His academic interests center upon the structural and institutional framework of societies and the distribution of political and econmic power. Matt has a master's degree in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in Secondary Education also from Penn.  He did his undergraduate studies at Haverford College majoring in Sociology and Anthropology. At SLA, Matt has been developing a project-based history curriculum using a "case study" method that focuses on enabling students to become thoghtful and engaged scholars and citizens.

Biochemistry: Tim Best – tbest [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – In his second year at SLA, Tim comes to SLA from the Boston area, where he has most recently been working as a high school technology integration specialist, collaborating with teachers to develop technology-based projects. Previously, he taught 4 years of physical science and biology. Tim's experiences with both inquiry-based science teaching and the use of technology in the classroom make him a great fit for SLA.

Spanish: Mark Bey – mbey [at] scienceleadership [dot] org

Humanities: Joshua Block – jblock [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Joshua has taught in public schools in the Philadelphia suburbs, New York City, and Philadelphia. He received his B.A. and M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. He received additional education while living in Jerusalem and Cameroon and while working as a cabinetmaker. Joshua is passionate about the belief that education should be a tool that allows people to both understand and transform their individual and collective realities. In 2008, Josh was named a Nationally Board Certified Teacher.

English: Zachary Chase – zchase [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Zac Chase loves learning. He loves the pain and ire that come when a new idea collides with an existing paradigm. Prior to working with 9th and 11th grade students at Science LeadershipAcademy, he worked with students in Sarasota, FL. He has also been involved over the past two years with the Freedom Writers Foundation in Long Beach, CA. He's enjoyed teaching teachers across the country to expand their learning and begin to empathize with their students.  Originally a native of Illinois, Chase graduated from Illinois State University. An avid runner, he has completed seven marathons and numerous other foot races. One of 150 Freedom Writer Teachers, Chase has worked with the Freedom Writer Foundation and Erin Gruwell. Currently, Chase is working with the Foundation to edit a collaborative book recounting 150 teachers' experiences in the American educational system. Alongside Gruwell, Chase looks to Hal Urban, Ron Clark, and his high-school math teacher Mr. Curry when in developing his pedagogical approach. He is also a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Staff Development Council and Blockbuster Video. He is a Kagan Cooperative Learning School Trainer, 2009 Lindbach Award winner and a big brother.

English: Alexa Dunn - adunn [at] scienceleadership [dot] org--A Philly girl at heart, Alexa returned to SLA in 2009 after spending two years in Toronto. She was part of SLA's founding faculty in 2006.   Alexa also taught 7th and 8th grade Language Arts and worked as Director of Publications in Development at Friends' Central School in Wynnewood, PA. She completed her year long English Education internship at The Beacon School in New York City while pursuing her Masters in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to entering the education field, Alexa enjoyed a four-year stint as Marketing Manager at The Conde Nast Publications for Vogue, Glamour, W, and Details magazines. Currently pursuing her Principal's Certificate from Drexel University, she loves yoga, dancing, Spanish language and culture, knitting, reading, travel, and spending time with her beautiful and engaging family.  

Biochemistry: Stephanie Dunda - sdunda [at] scienceleadership.org  A Minnesota and Florida native, Stephanie arrives at SLA after teaching for 5 years at the Phoenix Academy and Suncoast Polytechnical High School in Sarasota, FL.  She earned a BA in Biology from Wesleyan College, where she studied abroad in Argentina and found a love for the language and culture.  Her passion is connecting students to their surrounding world, particularly analyzing the influence of human impact on their environment and watersheds.  She wrote and received grants from the Southwest Florida Water Mangement District  (SWFWMD) to engage students in an interdisciplinary 4 year study of Sarasota Bay and Myakka River.  Because of this collaboration, Stephanie received awards from SWFWMD and was Teacher of the Year at the Phoenix Academy and was the Florida Association of Science Teachers Outstanding High School Science Teacher.  She admires the philosophy/teaching of Kagan, McREL, Ruby Payne, Hal Urban, Wong, and her middle school science teacher, Mr. Kolodji.  He always told his students that women can make a difference in science and learning.  Stephanie is also a fan of color coding, 3 ring binders, and tote bags.

Physics: Rosalind Echols – rechols [at] scienceleadership [dot] org -- Rosalind is in her second year of teaching physics at SLA, following two years at University City High School in West Philadelphia, during which time she received her MSE for SecondaryScience Education. She earned her undergraduate degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University and came to teaching in Philadelphia after a year in Tanzania teaching English and Math. She coaches students involved in the program Students Run Philly Style, a mentorship program centered around running and goal setting that works with students all over Philadelphia. In her free time, she contemplates the science of her life, most notably running, baking, and her car. And then insists on sharing these contemplations with her students. 

Special Education: Michael Farrell - mfarrell [at] scienceleadership.org

Counselor: Zoe Freeman Siswick - zfreeman [at] scienceleadership.org - A proud product of Philadelphia public schools, Zoe is excited about working with students in her beloved hometown.  Although this is Zoe's second year on staff, she is no stranger to the school, having completed her counseling internship at SLA last year as part of her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Temple University.  Zoe brings a wealth of experience working with Philadelphia public school students--she taught second grade and ran an academic enrichment program for middle school students prior to beginning her master's program.  She is currently pursuing a PhD in Urban Education through Temple University.  When she's not at SLA, Zoe enjoys watching football, cooking (and eating!), playing soccer and hanging out with her wonderful husband and bulldog.  She is excited to work with some of the most vibrant and intellectually curious staff and students in the nation!

Math: Erin Garvey - egarvey [at] scienceleadership [dot] org - 

Spanish: Jillian Gierke – jgierke [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Jillian is in her second year at SLA. She has a MAT in Spanish (with a focus on Service Learning) from Indiana University in Indianapolis. She has experience teaching Spanish at the university level as well as teaching English to teenagers in Spain. 

History / Digital Filmmaking: Douglas Herman - dherman [at] scienceleadership [dot] org ~ Douglas hated history when he was a kid! Sounds kind of strange coming from a history teacher, but he didnt have the epiphany that the classroom was his home away from home until he decided to leave America for good to wander about the world. Obviously he had a change of heart and returned to the states with a mission to affect change by motivating young people to get involved in their communities and seriously develop individual life plans. He was so moved by his experiences and interactions with young minds while teaching and revamping the photography program at Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, NJ, that he "voluntarily" decided to go back to school to earn his MAT in History and Digital Arts from Bennington College, VT. In his first year at SLA, but second teaching in Philadelphia, Douglas brings a unique perspective to history, both modern and ancient, by utilizing media and art in understanding and developing individual relationships with history and politics. Part of this process is getting out there and seeing the way people actually live from day-to-day in other parts of the world. Douglas' passion for and curiosity of other cultures is the driving force behind achieving his life goal of traversing EVERY country in the world, which he chips away at by traveling at least three times every year. A summer in Turkey and an abbreviated stint in Bulgaria stand as his latest additions to the list. 34 and counting! Check out some of his photography at http://www.fotopedia.com/users/dfherman

Counselor: Karina Hirschfield – khirschfield [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Karina brings a wealth of experience to SLA. She has been the founding counselor of a charter school, so she is well prepared to create the systems necessary to run an innovative and effective guidance program. In addition, Karina will be working with the faculty to craft the core of our advisory curriculum. Before becoming a guidance counselor, Karina spent six years as an ESL teacher in New York City, so she will give our emerging English language students added support.

Digital Arts: Marcie Hull – mhull [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Before becoming SLA's founding Technology Coordinator,  Marcie spent five years at Shoemaker Middle School in SDP. She brings a powerful understanding of both the fine and digital arts and their role in schools. She has established a reputation as one of the top digital arts educators in the city. Marcie has presented at the National Educational Computing Conference, PETE&C, the NY Tech Forum and has worked training teachers all over the School District of Philadelphia.

English: Matthew Kay – mkay [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Matt is a product of the Philadelphia Public Schools, having graduated from Saul High School and West Chester University. For a young teacher, Matt has had an incredible amount of teaching and coaching experience, having worked as an assistant football coach at West Chester, as a Summerbridge Math and English teacher and as a teacher and naturalist at the Awbury Arboretum.

Mathematics: Brad Latimer – blatimer [at] scienceleadership [dot] org - Brad comes to SLA after earning his Masters Degree in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum from the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, Brad also worked as the Assistant Academic Coordinator for the Athletics Department. Prior to his time at Penn, Brad spent three years teaching high school mathematics at The Bullis School in Potomac, MD. While at Bullis, he was also very much involved in the athletics program, serving as an Assistant Football and Track coach. Before his time at Bullis, Brad spent six months working with Middle School students in Monteverde, Costa Rica, after completing his student teaching assignments right here in Philadelphia at CAPA.

History: Diana Laufenberg – dlaufenberg [at] scienceleadership [dot] org -- Diana Laufenberg is a nomad. Diana is a true life-long learner. She currently works with 11th grade students at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. Experiential education is an integral part of her educational pursuits taking students from the classroom to the real world and back again. Before finding her way to Philadelphia, she was an active member of the teaching community in Flagstaff, AZ where she was named Technology Teacher of the Year for Arizona and a member of the Governor's Master Teacher Corps.

Spanish: Melanie Manuel – mmanuel [at] scienceleadership [dot] org --  Melanie has organized and led many international trips for her students to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, the US-Mexico border and Guatemala. In her free time Melanie wanders aimlessly in the city on her bike, dances salsa and hiphop, dabbles in art and guitar, travels to countries with US State Department issued travel advisories and, enjoys long walks on the beach. Melanie is a National Board Certified Teacher.

Physical Education / Health: Pia Martin – pmartin [at] scienceleadership [dot] org

Math / Computer Science: Mark Miles - mmiles [at] scienceleadership.org - Mark was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. He attended college at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, originally pursuing a degree in Education, but ultimately double majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science with minors in Creative Writing and Business Administration. After he graduated in 2005, he worked at Raytheon Missile Systems for four years, first as a Safety Engineer, then as a Software Engineer. However, in 2009, Mark decided to follow his passion for teaching; he moved to Philadelphia and joined the Science Leadership Academy through the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows. Mark currently teaches Pre-Calculus and Computer Science Engineering while he earns his Masters in Secondary Education from Arcadia University.

Librarian: Joshua Newman - jnewman [at] scienceleadership.org 

English: Larissa Pahomov – lpahomov [at] scienceleadership [dot] org - Larissa began teaching at SLA after earning her Masters degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Before that, she worked as a Fulbright Teaching Assistant for English in a high school in Germany. Larissa is also involved with the One Book and One Film programs run by the Free Library of Philadelphia and enjoys serving both her school and her city. In the classroom, Larissa is dedicated to helping her students learn to read both the word and the world.

Mathematics: Sunil Reddy – sreddy [at] scienceleadership [dot] or -- As an undergraduate, Sunil graduated cum laude with a dual degree in Mathematics and English Literature from Colgate University. In his fifth year at Colgate, Sunil earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Secondary Mathematics Education, and subsequently became a New York and Pennsylvania state certified instructor. During college, Sunil tutored math at the high school level in all subjects and singularly coordinated the tutoring program. Sunil also spent three years teaching math daily—and coordinating evening tutoring sessions—to Philadelphia adolescents through the University of Pennsylvania and Harcum College's Upward Bound programs. Prior to this year teaching at SLA, Sunil worked for a PA virtual academy, responsible for educating nearly 300 students via distance learning.

Sunil does not believe that any student is incapable of learning, rejecting the notion that some people "can't do math." It is Sunil's belief that all children are able to excel in math if they are provided with ample individualized instruction. Everyone has a different style of learning and Sunil is proficient in differentiating instruction to best address his students' needs. Sunil is a patient practitioner who is able to contextualize mathematical concepts for students, grounding them in many real world examples.

History / Spanish: Juan Gabriel Sanchez - jsanchez [at] scienceleadership.org - Juan Gabriel has always loved learning. He has especial fondness for history and the sciences.  Juan Gabriel is a first-year teacher of both Spanish and Social Studies.  He focused his studies on the social sciences because he loves puzzles, and he believes human beings to be the single most complex entity in the known world.  Since leaving school, he worked as a researcher at both UCLA (for early childhood education) and UPenn (on a behavioral intervention study at the School of Med), the latter of which he eventually chose for his MS Ed. in Teacher Education.Science Leadership Academy was Juan Gabriel's top choice of schools in Philadelphia, and he is thrilled to work with such motivated staff and students.

Biochemistry & History: Gamal Sherif – gsherif [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Gamal is a veteran teacher and administrator who has worked with public and independent schools over the last 17 years.  His undergraduate work at SUNY-Binghamton (B.A. '88) were rounded at with graduate work at Temple University (M. Ed. '95) and the University of Pennsylvania (M.S.Ed. '99). Gamal has consulted with The Caring Center, Chester YouthBuild, the National Science Foundation, and the Center for Teaching Quality.  In 2008, Gamal was nominated for the Lindback Awards for Distinguished Teaching, and in 2009, Gamal received SLA's Outstanding Colleague Award.  For more on Gamal's pedagogy, you can go to www.Progressed.org.

Mathematics: Caitlin Thompson – cthompson [at] scienceleadership [dot] org-- Caitlin joins us after a busy year of finishing up her bachelors at Tufts University in Boston and starting her teaching career as a Philadelphia Teaching Fellow.  She earned her degree in engineering science and geology and is excited to expose students to the wide range of mathematical applications in the world.  She also looks forward to sharing her love for cycling and the outdoors with Philadelphia's finest youth.

Biochemistry / Math: Matt VanKouwenberg – mvank [at] scienceleadership [dot] org – Matt comes to us from West Philadelphia HS where he was the Math Department chair. By coming to SLA, Matt is able to take full advantage of his background as a double major in biomolecular engineering and chemical engineering at Penn. Matt is a Yale Teaching Fellow, and he has been running staffdevelopment workshops for the district.