Allentown School District Welcomes New Assistant Principals
Melissa Reese
At a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Allentown School District School Board of Directors approved the appointment of three new Assistant Principals at two schools for the 2024-2025 school year.
“We are excited to welcome these talented professionals to our school leadership teams,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Allentown School District’s Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer. “Each of them will play an active role in achieving the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan. I am honored to work closely with each of these leaders as we continue to move our District forward.”
Dr. Leila Little and Ms. Jacqueline Evans-Turner will join the administrative team at Louis E. Dieruff High School.
Dr. Little has spent the majority of her career with the Allentown School District, serving as the Science Department chair since 2011. She has been instrumental in revitalizing the Learning Dome at Dieruff High School, designing an innovative curriculum for all students K-12.
Dr. Little holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from DeSales University, and Master's Degrees in Educational Leadership, Instructional Technology, and Classroom Technology from Wilkes University. Her Doctoral degree from Kutztown University in Transformational Teaching & Learning.
Evans-Turner most recently served as an English Language Arts teacher at Harrison Morton Middle School and previously spent time at Wilson Area High School as a Spanish Teacher. Her previous leadership experience also includes roles as Vice Principal and Director of Curriculum at Clinton Public Schools in New Jersey. She began her career as an English / Language Arts teacher and has additional experience as a Literacy Coach, Supervisory of K-12 Humanities, and K-12 Language Arts Supervisor.
Evans-Turner holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Rutgers University and a Masters in Arts Education from St. Peter’s College, N.J.
Brighid McDonnell will become the Acting Assistant Principal at Union Terrace Elementary. McDonnell began her elementary teaching career at Union Terrace before previously working with Pre-K students. She has served a number of roles within the District including Spanish Language After School Program Coordinator, Administrative Intern, and ESL Teacher. She spent a number of years as an administrator with Roberto Clemente Charter School before returning to Allentown as an English Language Supervisor of Instruction.
McDonnell holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master's Degree, K-6 Elementary Certification, and English as a Second Language Specialist Endorsement from De Sales University. She has also received her Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction Certification and Masters in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University.
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