Our Team

EMILY HURST, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
אמילי הרסט, מנהלת ראשית
Emily serves as Philadelphia Hebrew Public’s founding Executive Director, building the organizational infrastructure necessary to support the school’s mission. Beginning in 2016, she guided the Hebrew Public team through a feasibility study and successful charter application before joining full-time to lead the school’s launch. Most recently, Emily was a founding member of Bloom, a planning practice that partners with non-profit organizations to make a purposeful change. As the Director of Development for the Byerschool Foundation, she spearheaded fundraising, strategic planning, and external relations to support the students, families, and teachers at the Russell Byers Charter School. During her time in Guatemala City, Emily founded a social entrepreneurship program for women through the NGO Camino Seguro. She originally landed in Philadelphia as a staffer on the 2008 Obama campaign. Emily is a graduate of Bowdoin College and earned a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. She contributes actively to her community, serving in the leadership of the Mental Health Partnerships Board of Directors, a regional leader providing mental health services to over 7,000 people annually. Emily lives in Philadelphia with her husband, TJ, their daughter, Poppy, and their aging dog and cat.
ELYSSA YUEN, HEAD OF SCHOOL
אליסה יואן, מנהלת בית הספר
As Philadelphia Hebrew Public’s founding Head of School and instructional leader, Elyssa brings deep experience working both in the classroom and school administration in Philadelphia charter schools. She most recently served in a school leadership role building and supporting special education programming for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. In her work as a school leader, she has supported teachers to develop inclusive and equitable practices in classrooms and promotes student outcomes and growth across difference. She serves as a national facilitator in the Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity training program. Elyssa earned her BA at Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Elementary Education & Special Education at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds her Principal Certification from the RELAY Graduate School of Education as well as certifications in English as a Second Language and Special Education. Elyssa’s K-12 schooling experience took place in Hong Kong, where her family still resides. She currently lives and calls South Philadelphia home.
ALESHIA KELLMAN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
אלישה קלמן, רכזת תפעול
NIKKI PULLIN, DEAN OF CULTURE
ניקיי פולן, רכזת תרבות
Nikki is excited to join Philadelphia Hebrew Public as Dean of Culture and lead the team in fostering a joyful culture that models the school’s values. Nikki has been an educator in Philadelphia for the past 10 years. Before coming to PHP, she spent eight years at a charter school in North Philadelphia where she taught several grades. For the past two years, Nikki has been teaching while also coaching teachers. She is a New Jersey native and received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Kean University in Union, NJ. In 2017 she received a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Temple University. She recently moved back into the city and calls West Philly home.
VERONICA WILLIAMS, DEAN OF ACADEMICS
ורוניקה וויליאמס, רכזת פדגוגית
Veronica Williams is thrilled to join Philadelphia Hebrew Public as the Dean of Academics. She brings 10 years of experience in teaching, school leaders, and network-level administration at both public charters and public district schools. She most recently served as an Assistant Principal of Instruction where she was responsible for building and supporting special education and English as a Second Language instructional programming for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. In her work as a school leader, she has supported teachers to hone their instructional skills and develop their culturally responsive practices. She has developed expertise around family and school collaboration and has presented at the Family Involvement Conference and Migrant Education Program and English as a Second Language Conference on the subject. She is a certified facilitator in the Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity and has facilitated with students and teachers. Veronica earned her BA in Elementary Education and a Master of Elementary Education with a Reading Specialization at the University of Florida. In 2017 she earned her Doctorate of Education from NOVA Southeastern University with a specialization in Reading Instruction. She holds her teacher certification for Elementary Education K-6 as well as a Specialist certification in English as a Second Language. She currently lives with her husband and two elderly dogs in South Philadelphia.
Phillip Smith – Director of Student Supports
פיליפ סמית׳ – רכז תמיכת תלמידים
Sarah Hanrahan – Associate Dean of Academics
שרה הנרהן – עוזרת רכזת פדגוגית
Philadelphia Hebrew Public
3300 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129
info@philadelphiahebrewpublic.org
Hebrew Public is a growing national network of dual-language charter schools that serves as the School’s Charter Management Organization (CMO), and is responsible for all aspects of the school’s work. Find out more.