Family and Community Engagement Deputy Chief Jenna Monley is named one of Education Week’s Leaders to Learn From while Mathematics Curriculum Specialist Jessica Tilli has been selected by the White House for a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching 

Two staff members of the School District of Philadelphia have received national recognition for their excellence in the field and their work to support students and families.

Jenna Monley, the deputy chief of the Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) was named one of Education Week’s 2022 Leaders to Learn From. The tenth class of its program, Education Week – a national news organization covering K-12 education – selected 11 outstanding school district leaders from across the country who have demonstrated innovative and effective leadership for schools.

Under Monley’s leadership, FACE, which plays an integral role in creating and supporting partnerships among schools, families, and communities, has made great strides in assisting families in navigating the School District of Philadelphia, especially during the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and trauma created by growing violence in Philadelphia. Some of the work that was highlighted by Education Week included the development of programs serving incarcerated fathers, providing support for families to better review student progress data and hosting listening forums for parents and families.

Monley and the ten other 2022 Leaders will be invited to share their successful strategies as part of Education Week’s Leadership Symposium in May. During this virtual event, Education Week will convene district leaders and educators to trade ideas and best practices.

Mathematics Curriculum Specialist Jessica Tilli, a former mathematics and science teacher at William M. Meredith Elementary School, has been selected by the White House for a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). She is one of two teachers from Pennsylvania to receive this recognition and the only one in the state to be recognized in the mathematics category. The honor is given to educators who have demonstrated a strong commitment to teaching in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics. As part of the honor, Tilli, who worked as a teacher and teacher leader before transitioning to her current role in the District’s central administration office, will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Tilli earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Goucher College and a Master’s in Education from Arcadia University. She is currently a doctoral student at Temple University studying Educational Leadership.

School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. said he’s extremely proud of both Tilli and Monley and considers them representative of the talented and committed education professionals working throughout the District.

“We seek leaders, teachers, and staff who are deeply committed to supporting students and families with access to information and resources that help children learn and graduate from our District ready to excel in college or career,” said Hite.“These honors for Ms. Monley and Ms. Tilli make us all proud of the work they do and even more determined to do our parts to serve and support our students and school communities. We are very fortunate to have leaders like this in our District.”