As we move into the new year, the Mayor’s Office of Education leadership team wanted to share a few of the things that they’re looking forward to working on in the coming year.
Otis Hackney, Chief Education Officer
In 2018, I am looking forward to a positive and smooth governance transition from the School Reform Commission to the new mayoral appointed school board for the School District of Philadelphia. Over time, this new governance structure will expand on the work that MOE has been doing to align City and District efforts around the well-being and education of all students.
Additionally, I am looking forward to increasing the number of children and families our programs serve through the expansion of PHLpreK seats and Community Schools. Our city can’t wait any longer to fully realize the potential these programs can bring.
Deana Gamble, Chief of Staff
In 2018, I’m looking forward to expanded collaboration with other City departments to bring even more programs and services directly into our 12 community schools. For example, this year we’re partnering with the Office of Adult Education to offer adult basic education, English as a Second Language, and GED prep classes in schools, so parents and community members can improve their workforce literacy skills. Improving economic stability is critical to supporting families and strengthening neighborhoods. This is a key step to helping adult learners get the skills they need to enter the workforce, get better jobs, or access to post-secondary opportunities.
Julie Beamon, PHLpreK Director
I’m looking forward to the expanded workforce development efforts that MOE has planned to bring more Philadelphians into the field of early childhood education (ECE). Our children’s first teachers play a critical role in their lifelong learning and success, and I’m proud of MOE’s work to support ECE professionals as they enter the field and advance their career.
PHLpreK has already created over 250 new jobs in pre-K centers across the city, and as the initiative expands to serve 6,500 children annually we will need more trained and committed professionals to lead the new classrooms. ECE can be a great career pathway for high school students to pursue by earning their CDA, and is also a good option for adults who are ready for a rewarding second career.
Soon, MOE’s website will feature a directory of education and training resources, and we’re co-hosting a career fair in February with Graduate! Philadelphia to highlight the city’s many higher education pathways into the ECE profession. Stay tuned!
Kendrick Davis, Director of STEM Initiatives
In 2018, I’m looking forward to collaborating on new and innovative ways of strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) across the city. February 2018 will mark the second year this administration has formally recognized and participated in CTE Month: a national awareness campaign to promote the value and achievements of those in the CTE community. During CTE Month, the City will host its inaugural CTE Community Fair in North Philadelphia with a focus on connecting youth to careers and postsecondary opportunities, and raising the overall profile of technical education. This is a vital step in bolstering the future workforce, promoting equity in underrepresented communities, reducing childhood poverty, and creating a better quality of life for all Philadelphians.
Susan Gobreski, Director for Community Schools
In 2018, I’m looking forward to the continued success of our schools and the partnership between the City and the School District of Philadelphia. Our office is working to advance equity and opportunity for all children through Community Schools, PHLpreK and supporting Career and Technical Education.
From my perspective, I feel that the community aspect of Community Schools is vital to the success of this initiative and the continued success of our students. Engaging the community, expanding the services the school provides, tapping into the many great organizations that are in Philly and bringing in community members that haven’t been engaged with the school are all things that I’m looking forward to doing more of in the new year. Developing this work is fundamentally about improving the way that our community supports children – and learning from what we do with the first designated schools will help us learn to serve all schools better in the long run. And, while every school is not a Community School (yet!) each school can still be a school that serves its community.
Sarah Peterson, Communications Director
In 2018, I am looking forward to many PHLpreK students completing their second year in pre-K, followed by the next round of PHLpreK enrollment! Approximately 1,200 PHLpreK students will complete pre-K in June, opening up at least that many seats for new 3- and 4- year-olds to fill. Our feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive this year, with 97% of parents reporting their child is better prepared for kindergarten. 99% of parents would recommend PHLpreK to other parents, and I hope they do!
While the program will certainly grow in popularity through word of mouth, I’m also very proud of MOE’s public engagement and outreach strategies to connect families with early childhood education. In the months to come we are going to partner with other City departments, elected officials, community leaders, and local non-profits to make sure their constituencies have helpful information about how to sign up for PHLpreK.
