Teacher Leadership Team

Meet the Teacher Leadership Team

Dr. Amy Summa, Director of Teacher Leadership

Dr. Amy Summa currently serves the District in advancing teacher leadership by ensuring that teacher leaders have opportunities to develop and refine leadership mindsets, skills, and competencies.  Prior to assuming this role, Amy served the School District of Philadelphia as both a consulting teacher and classroom teacher; the Coatesville Area School District as an intermediate teacher and in various leadership capacities;  and the Unionville-Chadsford School District as a high-school girls’ basketball coach.  Amy has also worked closely between the Chester County Intermediate Unit and Goddard Space Flight Center to raise student achievement in math and science.  Amy is a graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania where she earned a B.A. in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine earning a masters degree in School Psychology.  Amy most recently completed her doctorate at Drexel University in educational leadership.  Her research focused on creating inclusive school cultures and environments entitled “Exploring Supportive Educational Experiences of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Students from an Adult Perspective: A Reflective Phenomenology.”   Additionally, Amy currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Mazzoni Center, a local organization dedicated to the health and wellness of the LGBTQ community.  As a Philadelphian (10,9,8,76ers!), Amy feels privileged to serve the teachers, students, and community in which she lives.

Camille Banks, Professional Learning Specialist

Camille Banks has been in the field of education since 1999 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Social Studies from Delaware State University.  She’s taught grades 1-6 in the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County Maryland, and  Philadelphia.  She began her leadership journey in Prince George’s County Public Schools as a Data Coach, School Instructional Team Coordinator and Principal designee. She went on to be the Literacy Lead and  SBTL at Tilden Middle School after a short stint selling life insurance and supporting her family businesses in early children learning. Throughout her teaching career she has made it her mission to make learning a fun, memorable experience for all children. She is currently supporting the development of SDP’s teacher leaders and aspiring leaders.   In her spare time, she enjoys working at her church’s pantry, gardening, and singing.

Catherine Clever, Professional Learning Specialist

Catherine joined the Teacher Leadership team with over 15 years of experience in education, six of which have been devoted to coaching and adult development.  Her experiences as a teacher in Miami, Washington DC, and Philadelphia have provided her with a unique perspective on different approaches and models of education. Catherine is passionate about equity-focused coaching and research-based early literacy practices and approaches coaching as a partnership.  She is particularly excited to link her work on the Exemplary Teaching Video Library with her work with SBTLs!

Rasheeda King, Teacher Leader Coach

Rasheeda King has been an educator for twenty-five years and has served in several capacities within the School District of Philadelphia as a school-based, regional and central office level employee. Rasheeda matriculated at Millersville University of Pennsylvania where she earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Education degrees. She later attended The University of Scranton, where she earned a Masters in Educational Leadership.  Over the past twelve years, she has served as a: School Growth Teacher, Regional Data Instructional Specialist, School Improvement Specialist and Professional Development Facilitator/Coach for our District’s School-Based Teacher Leaders and Instructional Specialists. Rasheeda has helped to develop and work on many school improvement initiatives within the District and brings extensive professional coaching experience to her role as an Academic Coach.

Jill Stevenson, Professional Learning Specialist

Jill is joining the Teacher Leadership team after working in various Philadelphia Public Schools for 15 years. Prior to assuming her role as a Professional Learning Specialist, Jill served as a School-Based Teacher Leader over math and science; participated in the Teacher Leader Academy (cohort 3); taught math, science, and special education; and coached soccer, track, and Science Olympiad. Jill cannot wait to work with Teacher Leaders on equity-centered leadership.

April Tomarelli, Teacher Leader Coach

April serves as an Academic Coach, supporting the Teacher Leader Academy.  April has been working as an Academic Coach since 2016 and specifically with Teacher Leader Development since 2018.  Before working in Teacher Leadership, she previously coached the district’s highest performing DEEP teachers.  Prior to that, April worked for two years as an Early Literacy Specialist for CLI, and as a classroom teacher for 6 years for a charter school in Center City.  April earned Masters Degrees in PreK-12 Educational Leadership and Elementary Curriculum and Instruction and holds an Administrative Certification, as well as a K-6 Teaching Certification.  As a resident of Philadelphia, April is proud to serve and support her community in their education.