This Month's Profile
Dr. Arlene Ackerman's ambitious plans for the School District of Philadelphia.
AGE: 62
ON THE JOB: Since June 2008
EDUCATION: B.A. from Harris-Stowe Teachers College; M.A. in educational administration from Washington University, St. Louis; M.A. in education from Harvard University; Ed.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
EXPERIENCE: Former teacher and principal; deputy superintendent, Seattle; superintendent, D.C. public schools and San Francisco Unified School District; superintendent in residence, Broad Superintendents Academy; director of the Urban Education Leaders Program at Columbia University Teachers College.
 |
ANNUAL SALARY: $325,000
INSPIRATION: “My dad was a minister and my mom was a teacher. They taught the three R’s: responsibility, self-reliance, and results. It’s how I’ve lived my life.”
MANAGEMENT STYLE: “I’m a collaborative leader. There are times when I have to be more directive, and there are times when I follow. I look for the shared vision and work toward a common goal.”
GUIDING BELIEF: “To give other people’s children what I would want for my own four granddaughters.”
PLAN FOR PHILLY: “To take a district that’s been making modest progress and accelerate it by focusing on three things: increasing achievement for all groups of students regardless of race, economic status, or where they live; ensuring the equitable allocation of all district resources; and holding all of our adults accountable for student results.”
ADVICE: “Be bold. Don’t be afraid to take a risk for the children’s sake. Perhaps the way we’ve always done it is not the way we need to do it in the future.”
- Teacher Store
-
6 Traits: Assessing and Teaching Writing
The Teacher Store 
6 Traits: Assessing and Teaching Writing
Scholastic RED Online Course:
$475.00
6 Traits: Assessing and Teaching Writing
Designed for elementary and middle school teachers who are currently using or preparing to use the 6 Traits Writing Model in their classrooms and schools, this course focuses on exploring the six writing traits, learning to use analytical assessment, and implementing trait-based writing activities. Teachers learn at their own pace, have the opportunity to earn graduate credit, and stay current on research-based
Instructional Program | Grades 3-8
Grades 3-8 $475.00
- Teacher Store
-
ReadAbout: Improving Nonfiction Reading Comprehension
The Teacher Store 
ReadAbout: Improving Nonfiction Reading Comprehension
Scholastic RED Online Course:
$425.00
ReadAbout: Improving Nonfiction Reading Comprehension
Designed for English, language arts, and content-area teachers of students in grades 3-8 and reading specialists using Scholastic's ReadAbout supplemental reading program, this course focuses on using research-based strategies for motivating and supporting readers and building nonfiction reading and writing skills. Teachers learn at their own pace, have the opportunity to earn graduate credit, and s
Instructional Program | Grades 3-8
Grades 3-8 $425.00
