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 17^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 17 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

Myeesha Jones

Assistant Principal - K-2^rd

 

Coming soon....

Professional Biography of

Shamile Childs

Assistant Principal - 3^rd-5^th

 

Coming Soon....

Professional Biography of

Tina Lloyd

Assistant Principal - 6^th-8^th

 

Ms. Lloyd serves as our Middle school assistant principal joining the team in 2018. She is a three-time graduate of Temple University with a degree in Elementary Education and African American Studies. She obtained her first master’s degree in Psycho educational Processes and her second in Education Administration. Tina is a passionate educator who has worked in the field for over 20 years, starting out as a classroom aide and working her way up through the ranks. She was an Elementary School teacher who has taught both 4th and 5th grade, she was a lead teacher, curriculum specialist and testing coordinator. After obtaining her second master’s degree she became a Director of Climate and Culture, Principal of School Climate, Assistant Principal and Lower School Principal. She has completed her doctoral course work at Grand Canyon University where she desires to complete her dissertation on “Teacher Perception of Parent Involvement in Charter Schools.” Ms. Lloyd has been in the charter school system for 20 years and has also served as an active parent in public, charter and parochial schools. She has served as a keynote speaker at community events and panel discussions for youth and young adults throughout the Philadelphia Community.

Professional Biography of

Syquetta Walker

Lower School Dean - K-2^nd

 

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Professional Biography of

Renee Watson

Dean - 3^rd-5^th

 

Renee Watson became an amazing addition to the WOLCS family in August 2019. She has over twelve years of experience working in education and social services. Ms. Watson has her B.A. in Strategic and Organizational Communications from Temple University and her M.S. in Human Services from Capella University. Ms. Watson’s education and experience allows her to foster positive professional relationships with our staff, students, and families with genuine unwavering support and compassion to ensure a productive successful academic and social environment.

Professional Biography of

Robert Fauntroy

Dean - 6^th-8^th

 

Coming Soon....

Professional Biography of

Kirsten Coleman

Director of Mathematics & Instructional Data 

 

Kirsten Coleman is the Director of Mathematics and Instructional Data at West Oak Lane Charter School who works to foster critical thinking and problem solving within the mathematics program. Ms. Coleman believes that children and adults learn through experience and through experience, the ‘light bulb’ moment in learning will never be forgotten.

Ms. Coleman has been a Philadelphia educator for 7 years, with a passion for urban education. She has taught elementary grades, middle school and special education. Serving as a Director of Curriculum, she shaped the curriculum and instructional practice of multiple Philadelphia Charter Schools. In addition to her experience, Ms. Coleman holds a Bachelors of Education from Syracuse University, a Masters in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University and multiple certifications. Ms. Coleman strives to facilitate the ‘light bulb’ moment in students, teachers and staff as she develops the curriculum and instructional practice of mathematics at West Oak Lane Charter School.

Professional Biography of

Christina Lucera

Reading Specialist & CCLC Site Coordinator 

 

Christina Lucera taught in the School District of Philadelphia for four years before coming to West Oak Lane Charter School. She was initially hired as a seventh and eighth grade writing teacher in 2013. In 2014 she became grade group leader for the seventh-grade team. Additionally, Christina began coaching cheerleading and facilitating the chess and stem clubs.

In 2015 she became the site coordinator for our 21st CCLC grant that funds our after-school programming. As site coordinator Christina is responsible for all programming, enrollment, staffing, supply ordering and management, as well as state reporting. Under Christina’s supervision and guidance, the after-school programs grown to fifteen clubs and seven tutoring groups. Currently over 250 students in grades K – 8 participate in an after-school program at West Oak Lane Charter School.

In 2016 Christina moved to the academic leadership team as a literacy coach and she became the reading specialist in 2019. In her role as reading specialist Christina coaches classroom teachers to improve levels of their proficiency in the implementation of the various reading curricula and improve levels of students' proficiency across all strands of the reading curriculum in grades K through 8. Christina also analyzes all literacy related assessment results and is responsible for ensuring all students receive the correct supports through our multitiered system of supports, MTSS.

Christina Lucera received her bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Holy Family University in 2009. In 2011 she earned her master’s degree in Education Curriculum and Instruction. Christina received her Reading Specialist certification, K-12 in 2016. Christina will begin taking coursework at the Carnegie Foundation on the improvement sciences this summer.