New Educational Leaders Take the Helm at Two Philadelphia Charter Schools

Carrie Kries-Shankweiler
CEO, Philadelphia Montessori Charter School

For students in Southwest Philadelphia, the upcoming 2011-2012 academic year holds more promise than ever. With Foundations' support, two charter schools have found new leaders: Philadelphia Montessori Charter School welcomes Carrie Kries-Shankweiler, and Southwest Leadership Academy welcomes Alphonso Evans Sr.

Foundations, Inc. has a long history of helping charter schools find qualified leaders. For more than fifteen years, Foundations has provided charter schools with a broad range of services. Foundations' dedicated experts also help charter schools with start-up and turnaround, curriculum development and assessment, day-to-day operations, as well as financial and business management, and leadership recruitment.

"We are delighted that we could assist these schools in hiring Mr. Evans and Ms. Kries-Shankweiler," states Foundations' President and CEO Rhonda H. Lauer. "Both are proven, effective leaders and educators, and we are confident in their ability to oversee these schools in the years ahead to support mission-driven education."

For nearly two decades, Carrie Kries-Shankweiler has provided quality leadership and instruction for Philadelphia-area youth, from elementary through the graduate level. Most recently, she served as Head of the Upper School at The Academy in Manayunk (AIM), a school for children in grades 1-12 with language-based learning disabilities. Ms. Kries-Shankweiler is highly experienced in curriculum development for in-school, after-school, and summer programs; she has founded several successful small businesses focusing on tutoring, enrichment, and literacy for youth ages 4-18 years.

Teacher, coach, principal, administrator: Alphonso Evans Sr. has done it all, and done it well. Using a cooperative, hands-on approach, he works closely with teachers, parents and students, community groups and administrators, to ensure quality educational outcomes. An experienced instructional leader, school organizer, and business manager, Mr. Evans served, until recently, as Chief Administrative Officer at Khepera Charter School, a K-8 institution that infuses African culture into teaching and learning.

"Interestingly, Southwest Leadership Academy and Philadelphia Montessori Charter School are within walking distance of one another," notes Ms. Lauer. "This offers an exciting and unusual opportunity to affect outcomes for a whole neighborhood of young people. Under the guidance of such qualified leaders, we can't wait to see what the future holds for these children."

Foundations, Inc., a national nonprofit organization, is committed to building the quality of educational opportunities for children, youth, and families through work with public and charter schools, school districts, education and community-based organizations, and the afterschool field. As a capacity-building organization, Foundations focuses on professional development, technical assistance, program development, and supporting tools, publications, and services.