Independent School Teaching Fellows Program

Our teaching fellow alums continue to work in public, charter, independent schools and other mission-aligned institutions. 

Several of our Teaching Fellows have pursued advanced degrees in education and related fields. 

This program is supported by the generosity of our donors. We are fortunate to also be the recipient of an E. E. Ford Leadership Grant. Contact Chris Rahill OPC '99, director of development, to learn more or make your gift today. 

We are grateful for the institutions and individuals who have supported the ISTF program in a variety of ways:

• Former Head of School Darryl Ford and Jacquelyn Hamilton for their leadership and visionary work that led to the creation of the ISTF program. Through their dedication, they were able to turn a dream into a reality in service of the larger independent school community.
• The E.E. Ford Foundation’s Leadership Grant which allows the program to continue to grow and support schools in the greater Philadelphia region.
• The Lehr Fund and the SNAVE Foundation for providing financial support and for embracing the mission of the program.
• The Alumni Society of the William Penn Charter School for its financial support and its commitment to the mission of the program.
• Our community partner schools: Community Partnership School, Friends' Central School, Agnes Irwin School, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, and William Penn Charter School.
• Members of the  ISTF Advisory Board for being thought-partners, supporters, and valued advisors.
• The William Penn Charter School and Alyson Goodner, Director of Penn Charter’s Center for Public Purpose for taking the lead with administering and managing the program.
• St. Peter’s School, a former ISTF partner school, for its contributions towards the E.E. Ford matching funds.    
• Individual donors who contributed to the E.E. Ford matching fund raise:
  • Ruth Aichenbaum
  • Bembry Family
  • Cavanagh Family
  • Goodner/Daniels Family
  • Dani Bembry Westbrook
  • Whitley Family
  • William Penn Charter School Office of DEIB for the on-going support of the teaching fellows and the program.

Naveena Bembry
Titles: Coordinator of Independent School Teaching Fellows Program; SEED Facilitator

Alyson Goodner
Titles: Director of the Center for Public Purpose; Religious Studies Teacher

Jim Pilkington
Titles: English & Social Studies Teacher, ISTF Mentor Coach

Naveena Bembry: Prior to taking on this leadership role, Naveena was a classroom teacher for 25 years at the William Penn Charter School, where she taught third grade and fifth grade. As a fifth grade teacher, she taught history through a social justice lens by highlighting diverse voices and multiple perspectives, while uncovering hidden figures in history. As a life long educator, Naveena has been active in DEIB work both at Penn Charter as well as in the larger independent school community. Naveena has presented at several conferences including the Cheryl Irving Cultural Competency Institute at the Multicultural Resource Center (MCRC) and the Innovation Summit sponsored by the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS). Naveena is a trained facilitator for the National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity) Project. She has led SEED groups for faculty and staff as well as SEED cohorts for parents, caregivers, and senior administrators. 

From 2021-2023, Naveena served as a professional development facilitator and mentor for the Independent School Teaching Fellows Program of Greater Philadelphia (ISTF). In 2023, she took on this new leadership role, and she is excited to continue supporting the mission of the ISTF program and steward its commitment to cultivating the next generation of educators.