Poplar / 6 to 12

Joan Hamel

Poplar Lead Teacher & Advisor to Poplar Teaching Staff

“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.

Felicia Mercer

Science and Math Teacher

“I believe with all my heart this is what the Lord has ordained me to do. This is evident in the joy I get from doing this work. I love that our teachers invest so deeply in their students and that we celebrate their diversity, humor, and uniqueness. We want what is best for each individual child.”

Felicia came into our community as a City School mom, volunteer, and substitute teacher before joining us full-time in 2013. She enjoys dancing, people watching, and taking scenic walks around the city.

Noel Terrell

Music Teacher

“Music is more than notes and harmony–it’s a way of unleashing your emotions. Music moves people. It brings us together. It glorifies God. My dream is to share the power of music with my students.”

Noel has served as a Musical Director and keyboardist for diverse musical acts like Pharrell Williams, Meek Mill, and Jill Scott. He also toured Europe with British hip-hop/r&b duo Floetry and currently performs with his contemporary Christian band, The Browne Boyz. Noel is happily married and has two sons, Roman and Lincoln.

Megan Owens

History Teacher

Kenyatta Rush

Athletics Director

“I see athletics as a way of honoring God. Good sportsmanship, teamwork, practice and patience, discipline, perseverance, and a desire to do your best are all virtues learned through competitive sports. I teach my students and athletes that competing with integrity, as ambassadors of Jesus, is more important than taking home a trophy.”

Kenyatta was a scholarship football player at Temple University when he met his Savior. Since then, he’s pursued diverse fields of ministry, working in social care with seniors, as a missionary in Africa, and as a minister to prisoners here in Philadelphia. Kenyatta lives in South Philly with his wife—our Choir Director, Ruth Naomi Floyd—and two children.

Joel Gaines

Head of School & Upper School Principal

“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.

 

Tessa Allebach

History Teacher

“Education has always been my strongest calling and having the opportunity to teach in an enriching and challenging environment such as The City School is a blessing. It is encouraging to be part of a school environment that gives life to both students and staff while the majority of educational climates that we currently live in unfortunately are often life-draining.

I look forward to lifting history off the textbook pages for my students and hopefully begin to have them understand how essential historical context is in the present.”

Tessa enjoys slow-paced activities such as taking walks and reading. Her love for the arts runs deeply and she has had the privilege of both taking and teaching art lessons for many years.

Shanté Brown Major

Project Planning Director

“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!”

Charmaine Murrell

Office Manager

Ms. Murrell was born in Sampson County, North Carolina and is the oldest of five siblings. After graduating from high school, she was able to travel extensively as her husband pursed his military career. After 10 years of operating a home based business, Ms. Murrell returned to college while raising their five children, Briana, Ziya, Mister, Sur and Mecca. As she focused to complete her college goals, she became immersed in the educational operations which serviced early head-start programs, charter school education, and institutions of higher learning. Her interests include international & domestic travels, and living vicariously through her active children.

Ms. Murrell was introduced to The City School by way of her youngest daughter who attended summer camp with several other City School students. After some research, prayer and support, The City School became an extended spiritual family.

“My footsteps are ordered, and I know I am where I am suppose to be every moment of time. God has allowed me to be in the most amazing places to cross paths with some of the most amazing people ever created. I am specifically grateful for our students because they have a way of bringing me instant joy with each smile and each good morning”.

Joe Sinagra

Arts Teacher

“I’m passionate about my job because I love people—they’re the crown of creation. I am blessed to get to know students as individuals and learn what makes them unique bearers of God’s image. I walk with my students as they develop their skills, and I am challenged to learn from them just as they learn from me.”

Joe lives in South Philly with his wife and six children (five of whom attend The City School—at all four campuses!). He loves making—painting, drawing, photography, costume design, and cooking. He is also an elder at Grace and Peace Community Church where he strives to love people as Jesus has loved him.

Rich Lindberg

English Teacher

“My goal is to help students become intelligent and engaged people in this world. Through books, I am hoping they will understand how to live on this planet, how to interact with others, and how “to be.” I am hoping that they will leave my class being a better writer, a thinking person, and a strong Christian.”

Rich lives in Roxborough with his wife and loves living in “an honest-to-goodness world-class city.” His favorite book is Frederick Buechner’s Godric, a semifictionalized account of the life of medieval saint Godric of Finchale, who inspires Rich to be a more humble and self-sacrificing person. He is also an avid cyclist and bikes to work almost every day, even in the dead of winter.

Ben Guy

History Teacher

“I strive to make history come alive for students so that they grow in their knowledge and understanding of history and subsequently grow in their knowledge of themselves and how the global society in which they live came to be.  Ultimately, my goal is that the students would use the knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking skill they gain from studying history in furthering the work of the Kingdom in their families, communities, city, and world.”

Ben lives in Elkins Park and enjoys reading, walking, playing the piano, and discussing “deep and profound topics.” His love for learning and teaching came from his mother, a longtime teacher who joined The City School team last year, bringing the Guy family teaching tradition full circle.

Ken Hunsberger

Math Teacher

“Over the years I have come to believe that an education is not complete if it is not Christ-centered. As a Christian school, we can offer more than excellent academics—we can introduce students to the one who created everything we learn.”

Ken lives in Chester County and enjoys his early morning commute on the train. Ken is an avid reader and has lately been on an Agatha Christie kick. He also enjoys crossword puzzles, crypto-quotes, and Sudoku, and he tends a bountiful vegetable garden at home.

Katelin Conde-Rodriguez

College Guidance Counselor

“The City School embodies so many of the values I hold dear, not least of these is shalom, the wholeness and completeness God desires for his people. I began my work with the City School three years ago as an intern from Mission Year, an urban ministry program dedicated to pursuing justice, peace, and reconciliation in the city. It became apparent to me early on that this was a special place where we not only pursue shalom by providing accessible and excellent education, but also raise students up to bring shalom to their city.”

Katelin lives in South Philly, “near a little enclave of City School folks.” When she’s not reading something that challenges her perspective, she enjoys watching nerdy tv shows, baking and cooking new recipes, and spending the day at the beach. And while Katelin’s heart belongs to Philly, her football loyalties are still in the Midwest—Go Pack Go!