WHEREAS, Linda Cliatt-Wayman served as a classroom teacher in the School District of Philadelphia for twenty years; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, Linda Cliatt-Wayman became a coach for new teachers and then a principal within the School District of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Linda Cliatt-Wayman became the principal of Rhodes High School, where she is responsible for improving math and reading proficiency to above 50% as measured by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. Before Cliatt-Wayman's intervention, proficiency in math and reading was at 3% and 9%, respectively. She also secured a 94% college acceptance rate for students; and
WHEREAS, Linda Cliatt-Wayman went on to serve as assistant superintendent for high schools within the School District of Philadelphia between 2010 and 2012; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Linda Cliatt-Wayman left her position as assistant superintendent to lead a merger of three Philadelphia high schools; and
WHEREAS, Linda Cliatt-Wayman became the principal of Strawberry Mansion High School, a public institution in North Philadelphia which has been on
Pennsylvania's "Persistently Dangerous Schools" list for the past five years. Cliatt-Wayman volunteered to serve as principal of SMHS after she could not find someone suitable for the job; and
WHEREAS, As principal of SMHS, Linda Cliatt-Wayman succeeded in keeping the high school open in the midst of the city-wide education budget crisis. Further, she cut the number of violent incidents occurring at SMHS between students in half and produced a 60% college acceptance rate among graduating seniors; and
WHEREAS, Through her work in Strawberry Mansion High School, Rhodes High School, and the School District of Philadelphia, Linda Cliatt-Wayman improved test scores and success rates among students, as well as improved the quality of life of students through her compassion and love; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we recognize and congratulate Linda Cliatt-Wayman for her dedication to and success within the School District of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Linda Cliatt-Wayman as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End