Leading TPS

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL?

“While teaching at Germantown Friends School, close friends of mine, George and Rose Fieo, who were also friends of the newly appointed Head of TPS, Martin Brown, told me that Martin was looking for a Curriculum Director. This would be a dream job–I loved creating, searching for, and implementing effective programs. Short story: I applied and was hired. That led, of course, to becoming Head of School in 1983 when Martin resigned and that became my absolute dream job. What a wonderful journey that was from 1982 to 2006!”

SANDRA DEAN

“I was eager to become a Head of School and had been interviewing at a number of different schools on the east coast. No school felt quite right — and then I interviewed at TPS. TPS was special from the start. I appreciated how the school described itself: its mission, philosophy, and City Country Classroom were intriguing to me. I loved that TPS was a unique progressive school, crafting curriculum, building on themes, working with children and families in meaningful ways.”

AMY VORENBERG

The Philadelphia School has been fortunate to have leaders who envisioned a learning and teaching environment that holds students at the center. From Edward Resovsky, the first Director, to Lisa Sun, our current Head of School, each leader has brought insight, energy, and a much needed sense of humor to the business of running a school. We asked five former heads [Ellen Eisenberg (1975-1982) and Martin Brown (1982-1983) have passed away] and current Head of School, Lisa Sun, to reflect on their tenure.

“I was immediately drawn to the philosophy of progressive education: deep thinking, innovation, and agency at The Philadelphia School. On my first visit, I fell in love with the confident, curious and compassionate students. TPS was and is what believe every school should be!”

JUSTINE HOFFMAN

“TPS’s progressive philosophy and its commitment to children building their identities as change makers drew me to the school. It’s rare to find a school that sees young children as people whose voices matter, whose ideas are worthy of consideration, and whose relationships are foundational to their growth. TPS builds agency better than any school I know.”

CARLYE NELSON-MAJOR

“From the minute I arrived, it was clear that TPS was a place of joyful learning, warm community, and a school that truly loved and respected children and childhood. That, coupled with an emphasis on deep learning and a commitment to the work of equity, brought me to Philadelphia and to TPS.”

LISA SUN

WHAT DID YOU (DO YOU) LOVE DOING DURING YOUR TIME AT TPS?

“When you are as old and curmudgeonly as I am and you are asked to dredge up people, events, etc., from more than 45 years ago, you know memory will fail. The very early-days success of TPS had nothing to do with me. It worked because the Trustees at the time were able to lure Carter Fussell, first head teacher, to work his magic at TPS. He was brilliant with students, and I understand he stayed with the school for a number of years. (Fritzi Franks, in her history of this period The First Ten Years, wrote about the breadth of Ed’s work: “Ed Resovsky, the entire administrative staff, typed his own letters, the tuition bills, and the student reports.”)”

EDWARD RESOVSKY

“What did I love doing at TPS? EVERYTHING, from sitting with preschool during story time, to reading with Primary Unit students, to watching Junior Unit work with Lego Technic and Lego Logo, to listening to Middle School discussing the differences between Athenian and American Democracy, to participating in Spanish games, to walking through the halls on my way to visit classrooms each day while appreciating children’s art on the walls, to listening to chorus and the string ensembles, to working with the incredibly gifted faculty and staff. I especially loved watching a play, musical, or opera written by students that reflected their having benefited from our thematic, interdisciplinary curricula. I loved meeting new families and students, working with the Board and parents and, most of all, receiving hugs from students. To tell you everything would require a book–so I have written one! If you want to know more about what I loved about TPS, you can read Beyond Civics: The Education Democracy Needs.”

SANDRA DEAN

“I loved so many things at TPS! Most of all, the people — the students were engaging and funny; the faculty was a group of smart, dynamic teachers; the administrators were thoughtful; and the Board was supportive and dedicated. I also fell in love with Philadelphia. EATS was a favorite TPS event for me!”

AMY VORENBERG

“My passion was to nurture, support, and honor teachers in their work as professional educators. I loved coaching teachers to reflect and ask questions, to trust their instincts, to embrace new research, to develop innovative curricula, to develop their teaching stances, to ask important questions, and to commit to being responsive to the wonder of evolving childhoods. I also enjoyed helping TPS think more strategically about its vision, mission, and systems. Asking important questions, challenging assumptions, and daring to push boundaries are the heartbeat of a healthy and evolving school. It was gratifying to journey with so many brave leaders, in and outside of the classroom, to lean into the work of encouraging TPS to become a stronger, more cohesive version of itself.”

CARLYE NELSON-MAJOR

“I love seeing evidence of the TPS special sauce-- simple moments of kindness shown by one student to another, learning celebrations, the talent show where everyone cheers for one another, recitals and plays, the 8th grade gift giving ceremony, and, of course, the special relationships that students, parents, and our faculty/staff have with one another over the years.”

LISA SUN

WHAT HOPES DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE OF TPS?

“Best wishes for your anniversary celebrations.”

EDWARD RESOVSKY

“I hope TPS continues on its journey as a school that celebrates and honors children, leads with both sacred ideals and innovation, and establishes itself as a center for professional development and progressive pedagogy. TPS has all the core ingredients to flourish across these domains; it just needs to lean into being bold. I wish TPS’s leadership bravery and focus as it charts its future as a place where children are seen as agents of impact in and outside the classrooms. The world needs TPS kids to help lead the way to a brighter, more peaceful future.”

CARLYE NELSON-MAJOR

“Under the leadership of Lisa Sun, I know that TPS will continue to evolve. In the process I am confident that TPS will remain committed to its core principles: belief in the strength of community and connections to each other and to the city and the natural world and its mission of fostering empathic, critical thinkers.”

SANDRA DEAN

“I hope TPS continues to be a leader in progressive education, gaining more national recognition for the wonderful work that’s done there with students, families, and educators.”

AMY VORENBERG

“As TPS celebrates 50 years of life long learning, we must all treasure the many traditions, both inside and outside of the classroom, as well as continue to dream big for a prosperous future. TPS is a gem!”

JUSTINE HOFFMAN

“I hope TPS will always be a city school that stays true to our history and values while changing to meet the needs of students. I want TPS to be a school that is accessible to many families in Philadelphia. I want TPS to make an impact on our beloved city. It’s a city that needs change makers and people who care. I want our students to build relationships with organizations that will help others-- I want our students to do good work that will directly improve the lives of the citizens of Philadelphia.”

LISA SUN (2018-PRESENT)

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