Administration

Daniel Jackson

Daniel Jackson

Dean of Students

Email:
djackson@cityschool.org

Joined The City School family:
2024

“I am most excited to be at City Schools where I can now freely pray with the children.”

Rev. Daniel M. Jackson is a motivated individual whose passion for life is empowering, which shows through his love for God and for people. Most recently, Rev. Jackson was an educator in the Philadelphia Charter School District. He served the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School for 18 years in roles such as the Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students and was also the Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Basketball Team for 14 years until his early retirement to focus on his pastoral journey. Rev. Daniel M. Jackson currently serves as the Senior Pastor of New Kingdom Baptist Church, where he continues to push the vision of the church which is dedicated to creating a holistic life-changing experience for all. Rev. Jackson has a sincere love for God and the youth. He strives to carry out God’s mission and is very excited about what God is doing in the lives of young people.

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Dr. Ebony Hatter

Dr. Ebony Hatter

Poplar Principal

Email:
ehatter@cityschool.org

Joined The City School family:
2023

    Degree(s):
  • PhD., Leadership and Learning
  • M.A., Educational Leadership

Dr. Hatter is an educator, mother, entrepreneur, minister, motivational speaker, and mentor.  Dr. Hatter, holds a Doctorate Degree in Leadership and Learning with a specialization in Organizational Leadership, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision, a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with sequences in both English and Law and Justice, and an Associate’s Degree in Elementary and Secondary Education.

She is a member and a part of the Ecclesiastical Leadership Council at Christian Fellowship Community Church under the pastoral guidance of Elder McDonald E. Ford. As a believer it is her goal to resonate hope to students, staff, and parents, as well as to help foster in them the belief in the possibility of a future marked by abundance and purpose.

Dr. Hatter enjoys spending time with family and graphic and web design. However, cooking and serving others are her passion and both bring her pure JOY!

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Chiquo Stokes

Chiquo Stokes

Principal, Fairmount Campus

Joined The City School family:
2022

    Degree(s):
  • M.A., Multicultural Education, Eastern University
  • Certifications in Special Education and School Administration K-12, Eastern University

Chiquo Cameron Stokes has worked in special education for over 15 years. He earned his Master’s in Multicultural Education with certifications in Special Education and School Administration k-12 from Eastern University.  He has over 15 years of experience working with students across a need-based spectrum in various schools throughout the City of Philadelphia ranging from elementary to high school students. He has also worked in ministry as a sunday school superintendent, an ordained minister, and a praise and worship leader.

Chiquo has worked for various charter school initiatives and has held roles ranging from Emotional Support Teacher, Special Education Specialist, Leader of Special Education Services, Manager of Student Supports, Assistant Principal of Special Education and Student Support Services, and Director of Student Support Services, which includes special education and multi-tiered level student supports.

Prior to taking a lead role as Principal with The City School, Chiquo’s last assignment as a public school administrator was held as Director of Special Education and Student Support Services at Young Scholars Charter School, Philadelphia PA (Northern Liberties). Chiquo believes educators should be life learners and committed to providing the highest quality of support to ALL students. He believes that if ever there was a time for Christian leaders to rally together to be beacons of light in our communities and world, that time is now!

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Jean Marie Staico

Jean Marie Staico

Admissions Manager

Email:
jmstaico@cityschool.org

Joined The City School family:
2001

“The Lord has blessed me to serve the students and parents of the City School by keeping the day-to-day operations at Spruce Hill flowing efficiently. Aside from the administrative paperwork, I look forward to meeting prospective students and their parents for the first time during their pre-admission interviews. My Office Manager position also doubles as a caretaker. I make sure each child is safely placed on the school bus, fix the occasional boo-boo from the playground, and even listen and pray with students who are having a bad day. It is a joy to witness the Lord transforming the hearts of children. Each heart is a little light that forms our school and allows it to shine bright in this big city.”

Jean Marie lives in Delaware County with her husband, two children, and a tabby cat named Sunny J. As our students will tell you, she enjoys baseball and loves the Phillies!

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Shanté Brown Major

Shanté Brown Major

Project Planning Director

Email:
sbrownmajor@cityschool.org

Joined The City School family:
2018

    Degree(s):
  • B.S. Drexel University

“I love being in a community of people committed to seeing great education happen.”

Every day I get to see students poured into so that once they leave The City School, they are prepared to be impactful in the world that they are entering. Students are valued as future thought-leaders, able to act in a biblical way and still think critically

The staff has a heart for these students, there’s a genuine love and care for each child at a time.

Shante lives in Elkins Park with her husband and son.  She enjoys many favorite pastimes including walks with her family, cooking and especially and “cracking open a new cookbook.”

She is also a budding guitarist and children’s book author, having just completed her first draft with front cover.

” The hope of Christ guides all I do!”

 

 

 

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Dr. Betty J. Handy

Dr. Betty J. Handy

Development Director

Email:
bhandy@cityschool.org

Joined The City School family:
2021

“Serving at The City School has always been my pleasure!  As a long-time parent, I have walked alongside this school for many years, as we have grown–with the Lord ordering each of our steps.  My children thrive here and my husband and I love that they attend a school where Jesus is central to the curriculum and mission.  As the Development Director, I am blessed to be in a position to facilitate the advancement of this excellent school!”

Betty lives just outside of Philadelphia with her husband and 2 children.  She has served The City School as its Major Gifts officer for the last 2 1/2 years, supporting the growth of our school program and as head of the Home & School Association for 4 years.  Previously, she was a higher education administrator at a local college for over 10 years, acclimating high school students to the college environment.  She currently holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership with plans to lead a college or university in the not-so-distant future. In her free time, she enjoys reading, fitness, travel and spending time with her family.

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Africa Jones

Africa Jones

Spruce Hill Principal

Email:
ajones@cityschool.org

Joined The City School family:
2015

    Degree(s):
  • B.S., St. Joseph's University
  • M.Ed., Eastern University
“I am so blessed to be a part of The City School. Getting to see the richness and diversity in the cultural fabric of the school and the students we serve provides a snapshot of ‘Thy kingdom come.’ “
Africa lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Dwight and 2 of their 4 children. She enjoys serving in many roles in her church, as well as hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

 

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Kimberly Jones

Kimberly Jones

Admissions Director

Email:
kjones@cityschool.org

Joined The City School family:
1999

    Degree(s):
  • B.A., Eastern University
  • M.B.A., Eastern University

“I am so humbled to lead the enrollment efforts at The City School.  I believe in the ministry that is happening here and want more and more families to have access to an excellent Christ-centered education.  I know my children have benefited greatly from our teachers pouring into them academic knowledge, but also life skills and spiritual wisdom.  As adults, they are successful caring individuals and have confidence that with Christ anything is possible.  Seeing young people who have come through TCS  be a beacon of light and hope for others makes me so driven in this work.  I have a passion for helping children and connecting families to resources, its where my gift of administration and my passion meet to be of service to others.”

Kimberly served with Philadelphia Mennonite High School for fifteen years before joining us through our merger in 2014.  She is an associate minister in her church, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Master’s of Business Administration which she successfully uses to coordinate strategic enrollment and marketing efforts.   She knows that God has developed her for leadership and looks forward to seeing how else she can bring Christ glory.  Kimberly loves “the hustle and bustle of urban culture,” and the beauty that resides within it. She has lived in the city for most of her life. She is a doting grandparent and enjoys her empty nest with her husband.  Additionally Kimberly likes to travel, oil paint and cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Joel Gaines

Joel Gaines

Head of School

Email:
jgaines@cityschool.org

Joined The City School family:
2018

    Degree(s):
  • B.S., Cairn University
  • M.Ed., Cabrini University

“No one has to tell you when your favorite cookies are being baked, you smell the delicious aroma and are drawn to it. Some of the reasons why I felt drawn to The City School team were our ambitious mission statement, my love for the people of Philadelphia and commitment to providing quality Christian urban education. I believe students who learn within urban spaces are some of the most socially prepared, culturally exposed, and life-ready individuals.”

Most recently, Joel was the Assistant Head of the Upper School at Delaware County Christian School. He has also served in various roles over the past 10+ years, in urban, suburban as well as in Christian and public school education.

Joel loves spending quality time with his family. He is married to Tia and has one son Josiah, and three daughters Hosanna, Elaina, and Adoniah.  He also enjoys collecting unique socks and ties, traveling, and taking pictures shot on his iPhone.

 

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Joan Hamel

Joan Hamel

Curriculum Coordinator

Email:
jhamel@cityschool.org

    Degree(s):
  • B.A., Kings College

“I cherish my students and want them to succeed. I love working with middle school students through their awkward, challenging teen years where they really begin to discover themselves and their purpose in the world. These are formative years, and I am honored to be a part of their story at such an influential fork in their paths.”

Joan lives in Erdenheim with her husband, Tom, and enjoys traveling into the city often. Her hobbies include gardening, bike riding, and going for long walks in her beautiful neighborhood. Her favorite book is To End All Wars, the true story of Allied prisoners in a Japanese death camp during World War II—their lives were transformed when one person began to love the way Jesus loves.

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ONE CHILD AT A TIME — The City School is a Pre-K to Grade 12 Christian school in the heart of Philadelphia. We believe an excellent education should be accessible for families in the city.