Our Team

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. Prior to her role as Head of School at Philadelphia Hebrew Public, Elyssa 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 is proud to call Philadelphia home, where she resides with her partner and daughter.

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JEN JOHNSON, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

Jennifer Johnson began serving as the Assistant Head of School in July 2024, bringing over 16 years of experience in Philadelphia’s education system. She has spent 9 years in elementary education, working in both West and South Philadelphia, and 7 years as an Assistant Principal at a middle/ high school in South Philadelphia. Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree from Eastern University, a Master’s in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialist Certification from Chestnut Hill University, and a Master’s in Social Work from Wilmington University. Additionally, she holds a Principal Certification from Relay Graduate School of Education. Originally from upstate Pennsylvania, Jennifer now resides in Lansdowne, PA. Passionate about providing students with equitable education, Jennifer is dedicated to ensuring their success and opening up countless opportunities for their future. She is excited to be a part of the Hebrew Public mission and team.

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DANNY HOUSE, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

דני האוס, ראש צוות התפעול

Danny House is the Director of Operations at Philadelphia Hebrew Public. She has worked at many education based nonprofits for over a decade to empower young people through education, athletics, and art therapy. Danny graduated from the College of Wooster with a major in sociology. Her education journey taught her about the social issues that plagued her community and communities like hers. She dedicated her career to resolving these social issues both on a macro level, working in administrative roles for mission-based organizations, and at a micro level, by building and maintaining relationships with young people over the span of her career. Danny is full of passion, persistence, and has a profound love and joy for the service she provides for young people.

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SARAH HANRAHAN, DEAN OF ACADEMICS

שרה הנרהן – דיקנית לימודים אקדמיים

Sarah Hanrahan – Sarah serves as Philadelphia Hebrew Public’s Dean of Academics. Sarah joined PHP in our founding year as a 1st grade teacher. She was fortunate to loop with this founding cohort, teaching them 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade before transitioning to leadership. Sarah works to support teachers in their instruction and culturally responsive pedagogy. Sarah received her bachelor’s degree in education from Penn State and her master’s degree in Literacy and Leadership in Diverse Schools from George Mason. Currently, she is completing a doctorate in educational leadership at Gwynedd Mercy University. She grew up in the Philadelphia Suburbs and currently lives in Fairmount.

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JULIE NICOLS, DIRECTOR OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES

Julie is excited to serve as Philadelphia Hebrew Public’s Director of Specialized Services. After a decade in the field, Julie has fallen in love with Special Education in Philadelphia. As an instructor and a case manager, Julie led her students to make substantial academic and social-emotional gains through quality instruction and individualized education plans. As she transitioned into leadership roles, Julie trained teachers in a highly intensive reading intervention curriculum and maintained Special Education compliance systems for the school. Julie has her Masters of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and is dual certified in Special Education and English. Julie lives in South Philadelphia with her family.

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REGINA MCKINLEY, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENT SUPPORTS

רג׳ינה מקינלי, דיקנית משנה לתמיכה בתלמידים

Regina McKinley is a founding member of Philadelphia Hebrew Public who started as a Special Education case manager. We are thrilled Regina has now transitioned into serving as Associate Dean of Students Supports bringing with her over 15 years in the field. As importantly, she is a proud parent of a PHP third grader! Regina splits time between her home in Mt. Airy and Egg Harbor, NJ, with her husband and three kids.

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NIKKI PULLIN, DEAN OF CULTURE

ניקיי פולן, רכזת תרבות

Nikki joined Philadelphia Hebrew Public as Dean of Culture in 2020 and leads the team in fostering a joyful culture that models the school’s values. Nikki has been an educator in Philadelphia for the past 13 years. Before coming to PHP, she spent eight years at a charter school in North Philadelphia where she taught several grades and two years of teaching and teacher coaching at a school in West Philadelphia. 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 calls West Philly home.

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JUSTIN MOODY, DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP AND MODERN HEBREW

Justin Moody is Philadelphia Hebrew Public’s Director of Global Studies and Modern Hebrew. Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Justin has nearly 20 years of experience in Philadelphia schools. In his previous roles, he has served as an English teacher, literacy and instructional coach, and Vice President of Literacy for a network of charter schools. His most recent role was as the assistant principal of instruction for ELA and history departments at Thomas High School in South Philadelphia. Justin’s passion for instructional coaching, social emotional learning, and culturally responsive teaching greatly inform his work. Justin earned a BA in English and Creative Writing from Emporia State University and a Masters in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Wisconsin. Justin is elated to join the Hebrew Public team and drive the work of fully realizing our vision of global citizenship.

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