Our Administrative Team

Professional Biography Of

Dr. Debbera Peoples-Lee

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Debbera Peoples-Lee serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the West Oak Lane Charter School (WOLCS). In her 13^th year, she has the overall responsibility for nurturing 1000+ children, grades K through 8, and transforming them into educated, responsible, and respectful young adults who can compete globally and internationally. After 25+ years in health care administration, she transitioned her business and operational skills to lead the effort to make WOLCS a world class model of an excellent learning institution focused on providing students with a student-centered learning environment emphasizing literacy, math and the sciences, as well as, targeted intervention and enrichment programs so all graduates are prepared for and accepted to the most academically rigorous high schools. As a seasoned health care professional, Dr. Peoples-Lee has held leadership positions at Temple University Hospital, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of New Jersey, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Health Partners of Philadelphia.  In addition, she served as an adjunct professor teaching public health at Temple University.  She holds expertise in the areas of health care management, health behaviors, organizational assessment and development, leadership and staff development, marketing and promotion.

Dr. Peoples-Lee’s academic credentials includes a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pittsburgh (1979), a Master’s degree in health care administration from St. Joseph’s University (1983), and a Ph.D. in public health from Temple University (2004).

Her professional affiliations include:  Board Member Keystone Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Member of the Community Advisory Council of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Member of the Northwest Community Coalition for Youth, Member of the National Network of Partnership Schools, Past President of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), Member of the American Public Health Association, NAACP-Willow Grove Chapter, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc – Xi Delta Chapter.  

Professional Biography Of

Sheila Royal-Moses

Chief of Staff, Chief Academic Officer

For the past 25 years, Sheila Royal-Moses has been known as a high-energy, results-oriented leader, in the field of urban education.  Her burning passion for education reform has served to inspire her efforts to bring innovative approaches to transforming under-performing, urban charter and public schools.

As the Chief of Staff and Chief Academic Officer for West Oak Lane Charter School, Sheila has spent the past 13 years working to employ and retain a highly qualified teaching staff, and to develop highly effective leaders who are able to create the conditions required for rapid and sustained change. Under her leadership, West Oak Lane Charter School has reached historical academic outcomes, which were the result of her efforts to drive fundamental shifts in school culture and instructional practice.

Prior to her tenure at West Oak Lane Charter School, Sheila taught in the graduate school of education at Rosemont College (Rosemont, PA), served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of University Partnerships for the School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA), Vice-President of New Business Development and External Affairs for Victory Schools Inc. (a New York based charter school company), and Director of New Business

Development for Advantage Schools, Inc. (a Boston, Ma. based charter school company).

Additionally, Sheila served as Director of Admissions for the Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr, PA) and spent over a decade as a senior level administrator in higher education in the areas of enrollment management and student affairs. Her post included Columbia University’s Teachers College, Eastern University, and the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine.   

Sheila received her BA degree from Temple University, her M.Ed. from Eastern University.

Professional Biography of

Michele L. Jones

Director of Development

Michele Jones is an accomplished administrative leader with over 20 years of success in organizations across the disciplines of education and healthcare with concentration in the areas of program building, organizational leadership and advancement.  She is recognized for creating strong mentor/mentee relationships for the purpose of supporting the growth and development of future leaders.

Michele was appointed to the Senior Team as Director of Development at West Oak Lane Charter School (WOLCS) in July 2014.  Charged with oversight of the school’s advancement operation, she provides leadership for initiatives across the school community and is responsible for planning and directing school-based fundraising campaigns. She works closely with the Board of Trustees to identify campaign priorities and define fundraising strategies that support the school’s mission of empowering students from all corners of Philadelphia to become lifelong learners in the areas of science, technology and humanities. Prior to her role at WOLCS, Michele managed Outreach and Partnership Development efforts for Fox Chase Cancer Center, 2004 -2014.  

Additionally, Michele is active locally and nationally serving as Board President for FantaSea Resorts in Atlantic City (Atlantic Palace) and is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Michele also served on the Transition Team for Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

Michele’s academic credentials includes a Master’s degree in Heath Administration from the University of Saint Francis, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Lincoln University.  Michele is also a candidate for the Master’s degree in Bioethics (MBE) from the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, she holds a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Temple University and is currently pursuing an Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University.

Favorite Quote: “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”

― Albert Einstein

Professional Biography of

Krystle Johnson

Lower School Dean - K-3^rd