Superintendent Started as School Janitor

From school custodian to Superintendent of a school district with over 100,000 students, he earned promotions due to his willingness to work hard and become a caring and trusted educator. 

FAMILY BACKGROUND

TW was born in New Jersey – the youngest of 7 children – but grew up within his African American family in North Carolina. Neither of his parents had attended college. Due to his family’s economic situation, TW received free lunch as a public-school student.

“I was one of those poor kids, economically, but rich in spirit,” he said. 

SCHOOL DAYS

The future school superintendent always paid attention in class and tried to learn whatever was being taught, whether writing, math or science. He was also an athlete, enjoying running. 

When not in school, TW worked part-time as a school custodian and later as a bus driver. 

EDUCATION

TW was the first member of his family to graduate from college: a Bachelors degree in history education from North Carolina A&T State University. Later, he earned a Masters Degree in American political history from The Ohio State University. After a few years as a teacher, TW went back to school, to earn Master and Doctoral degrees in education from The University of North Carolina. 

FIRST CAREER JOB LEADS TO PROMOTIONS 

TW’s first job in education was to teach history in high school. Four years later, he was recognized as ‘Teacher of the Year’ within North Carolina’s third largest school district. By age 29, TW’s experience in education plus his mature judgment earned him promotion to school Principal. Following success at that level of administration involving one school, TW was promoted to Chief of Schools and later, Superintendent of the entire school district’s enrollment of 115,000. 

During TW’s leadership, his district experienced measurable gains in students’ reading comprehension, a dropout rate reduction and improvement in academic performance for every group of students. 

In 2022, TW was appointed Superintendent of the Philadelphia School District, with student enrollment over 200,000. 

MAINTAINING PERSONAL VALUES

While rising through the ranks of education, TW has kept his teaching license current. “I am a teacher at my core. In my current role as superintendent, I often describe myself as the chief teaching and learning officer for the district.” TW went on to say: “The number one ingredient to improving academic performance for all of our students is recruiting high-quality teachers, developing and supporting and retaining those teachers.”

TW said he has a plan for keeping his team motivated; he would “model my values and appreciation for them. Build and maintain high levels of trust. Specifically, and intentionally invest in their professional development.”

PUBLIC SCHOOL OR CHARTER SCHOOLS?

While TW is a “product of public education” and believes in it, he said “I think all of us can agree that every student deserves a great school and excellent teachers and there is more than one way to do it. I think there’s an appropriate role for choice for families.”

STILL TIME TO FOLLOW HIS PASSION DURING HIS CAREER

TW plays the guitar, though he admits “it’s a work in progress. I want to be able to play as well as Jimi Hendrix or Prince. I want a chance to play ‘Purple Rain’ someday.” 

Recalling TW’s long record of dedication to learning, no one can doubt that eventually he will master the guitar, though possibly not to a doctorate level.