Our Faculty & Staff~WE ARE…

 

School Leader & Leadership Team

Dr. Nicole Harris, Principal

2024-2025 Leadership Team Members

  • Principal Dr.Harris – School Leader
  • Mrs. Christmas – SBTL
  • Dr. Knight – SPECM
  • Ms Chisholm- Counselor
  • Mr. Joseph Morris – Climate Manager
  • Mr. Rocco – Dean of Student Voice/Social Studies Teacher MYA
  • Mrs. Summer – Early Literacy Teacher Leader
  • Mrs. Wagner – Literacy Lead
  • Mr. Armiger – Technology Teacher Leader

Office Staff

Ms. Yancey – School Secretary

Mrs. Ayers – School Secretary

My name is Mrs. Ayers.  I have been a Secretary at Longstreth for 4 years.  I enjoy interacting and assisting parents, staff and the students. A Secretary serves as the face of the school and provides a welcoming environment for all who enter.  The school office plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the school.

“Don’t ever underestimate the importance of treating others with respect and kindness.” Alison Levine

 

2024-2025 TEACHING STAFF

 

PreK

 

Mr. Dotter, Rm. 107

My name is Steve Dotter and I’ve been teaching for the School District of Philadelphia since 2007.  I have taught Pre-K through 2nd grade but my heart has always been with Pre-K.  I obtained a Bachelor of Education from Temple University and a Masters of Education from Cabrini College and continue to take higher education classes to strengthen my teaching.  I enjoy reading, going to concerts, Philly sports and most of all, being a dad!  I look forward to working with you and your family

Ms. Taddonio, Rm. 109

My name is Ms. Jackie Taddonio and this is my 12th year teaching in Philadelphia. I hold Level II PA certifications in Pre-K-4 to and K-6.  I have taught Kindergarten, First Grade, and now Pre-K.  I especially enjoy helping children learn early literacy skills.

Kindergarten

 

Mrs. Summers

Section: 901 Rm. 113

My name is Chartel Summers. I have been teaching at Longstreth for over 20 years. I currently teach Kindergarten but I have also taught 1st through 5th grades. I am a certified Elementary Teacher and Reading Specialist with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in Reading. I believe all children can learn given the right conditions. I believe children learn in different ways and it is up to the teacher to incorporate different teaching and learning styles into their lessons so all children can learn. I give children the tools to become good readers, writers and critical thinkers. I love teaching and building foundational skills, that’s probably why I have a love of teaching Kindergarten.

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. ” -Confusious

1st Grade

Mrs. Caggiano

Section: 101  Rm. 204

Classroom Assistant: Mrs. Dixon

 

2nd Grade

Mrs. Kearney

Section: 202 Rm. 210

3rd Grade

Ms. Waller

Section 301: Rm. 205

 

Ms. Gibson

Section 302: Rm. 207

4th Grade

Mr. Edney

Section: 401 Rm. 203

My name is Mr. Edney.  I am an African American male who was born and raised in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  I attended public school from grades K-12. After I graduated from high school, I went to Temple University. I began teaching for the SDP in 1999.  I enjoy playing chess and teaching others how to play the game of chess.  I also love Hip Hop and R & B music.  I enjoy reading and writing poetry as well.  Working with children and helping them as they grow socially and academically is one of the main reasons why I chose to be an educator.

“Achieving a quality education can open doors and give you better opportunities to help you further yourself and compete in a challenging society.” ~ Taj Edney

5th Grade & 6th Grade

Ms. Hammond

Section: 501 Rm. 312

Mrs. Wagner – ELA/ Social Studies

Homeroom Section: 601 Rm. 303

Mrs. Teki Knox-Wagner has a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science from Penn State University.  She has earned her Master’s Degree in Multicultural Education from Eastern University.  Mrs. Knox-Wagner has worked in the education field for the past 18 years in the Philadelphia region.  She has been a team member teacher at William C. Longstreth for the past 9 years.  Mrs. Knox-Wagner believes it is a joy and honor to be able to teach students as they enter into their Middle Academy years. She is very active in using novels, short stories, and primary source speeches to enhance the learning process for her students.

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” By Langston Hughes

Philosophy on Education/Learning

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken people” by Fredrick Douglass.

Education is a foundation that allows a person to reach for the skies.

Ms. Osbourne – Math/Science

Homeroom Section: 602 Rm. 308

7th & 8th Grade

Mr. Johnson  – 7th & 8th Mathematics

Homeroom Section: 701 Rm. 304

 

Mr. Armiger –  7th & 8th Science

Homeroom Section: 702 Rm. 306 

This will be my 6th year at Longstreth as the 7th and 8th grade science teacher.  I’m a strong believer in hands-on learning, and I love being outside and getting my hands dirty. I also love to build and create.  I currently live in Philly with my partner, and a host of animals, including cats, pigeons, a dove, canary, gecko, turtle, fish, and several other invertebrates, many which either call my classroom home during the school year, or make an appearance.  You may see me biking or going for runs throughout the city, and I love growing plants and a garden.  As my students can tell you, some of my favorite days at school are the days we hold class outside or conduct an investigative lab.  When I’m not at school, I also enjoy reading, drawing, and exploring Philly.

Philosophy on Education/Learning

I hope that my students of today will become kind leaders, teachers, and lifelong learners of tomorrow.  Practice and preparedness makes (nearly) perfect, as do routines and open exploration.  Science is a tool that my scholars can use to understand their world.  Everyone can learn when they have the tools and are motivated.

 

Mr. Rocco – 7th & 8th Social Studies 

Room 305

My name is Michael Rocco and I’ve been with the Longstreth Family as a Middle Years Social Studies teacher for seven years. I have 13 years experience teaching middle school. I received my Masters in Education from Arcadia University in 2006. I also have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Temple University and spent six years as a community journalist. I live in Bucks County with my wife and three children. I consider being your child’s teacher a tremendous responsibility. I will do my best this year to ensure that each student has a motivating and safe learning experience in the classroom.

Philosophy on Education/Learning

As a teacher, I’ve seen the light bulb go off above a student’s head when they get it, and every time I smile. The light bulb is a reward and validation for what I am doing in my classroom. It takes passion to continue to push students and continue to find ways for students to discover information. Teaching social studies is challenging because, unlike math and science where there are formulas that facilitate discovery, social studies is interpretive. Students are more independent to come up with thoughts and ideas as they probe primary sources such as letters, political cartoons and speeches, and make conclusions based on their own interpretations. There may be some bumps along the way as we productively struggle, but it will be worth it.

“We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.” ~George Washington

 

Ms. Barron –  7th & 8th ELA & Social Studies

Homeroom Section: 801 Rm. 309

Hi, I’m Cherice Barron. I’m from Downingtown, PA and I began teaching for the District in 2000! I’m a proud Nittany Lion, Penn Quaker and Drexel Dragon. I love reading non-fiction and writing whenever and whatever I can. I have teaching certifications in K-6, ESL, SS 7-8 and ELA 7-8.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” ― W.B. Yeats

Instructional Support Team

SSA’s

Ms. Chartay 

I’ve been working at the district since 2018, but I’ve been working with children for the last 2 decades. I believe that each child has something special inside of them, and it is our job to bring that special thing to life. I enjoy reading, writing, and trivia. GO LIONS!

Ms. Stone

Ms. Pridgen

SPECIALIST TEACHERS

 – Health Room 307 & Physical Education in Gymnasium

 

Ms. Ege -Art Education Rm. 314

 

Mrs. Williams- Intervention Class Rm. 310

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM

 

Autistic Support

Ms. McWilliams– Rm. 213

Classroom Assistant: Ms. Anderson

LS K-5

Ms. Dixon-Widman

 

SPECM – Dr. Knight

Rm. 219

Dr. Nina Knight, Ed.D, a Philadelphia native, is an educator, youth advocate and community volunteer. She completed her undergraduate studies in urban education at Penn State University, graduate studies in special education and reading intervention at St. Joseph’s University, her Doctorate of Education, with an emphasis on administrative leadership for teaching and learning at Walden University, and her Principal Certificate at Lamar University. She is also  a published author of a memoir and first book, “Wilderness to Wellness” published by WestBow Press. Dr. Knight enjoys family, music, education and serving others.

Philosophy on Education/Learning

All students possess the ability to learn and through a holistic approach to education must be empowered to create opportunities for academic and social-emotional growth.

“Let he who has been watered water. Let he who has been given give.” ~Chadwick Boseman

ILS 6-8

Ms. Hurst

Rm. 311

 

6-8 LS

Emotional Support 6-8

Ms. Reeves – Rm. 301

Classroom One-on-One: Ms. Majette-Jones

Classroom Assistant: Ms. Sammons

School Psychologist

Ms. Leuzzi- Rm. 104

Speech Therapist

Ms. Pacharis – Rm. 104

Mrs. Pacharis is the speech therapist at Longstreth. She has worked in the school setting for the past 16 years and has been servicing children with communication disorders in Philadelphia public and charter schools since 2012. She received a M.Ed. in school-based speech-language pathology and a B.S. in audiology and speech-language pathology. She lives in Delaware County
with her husband and two children. Outside of her profession, she enjoys the beach and spending time with friends and family.

Counselor

Ms. Chisholm– Rm. 201

CLIMATE & CULTURE TEAM

Climate Manager- Mr. Joseph Morris

Climate Coaches

  • Coach Dukes
  • Coach Weeks
  • Coach Brown