South Philadelphia High School (SPHS) has a new portrait hanging in their school today. Chief Education Officer, Otis Hackney, was recognized in a portrait unveiling ceremony today in honor of his former leadership as principal of SPHS from 2010-2016. Most notably during his time as principal, he helped to heal the racial divide between students and championed the community schools strategy. He transformed the school into a neighborhood hub, bringing multiple partners and providers to support students in areas beyond academics.
In 2016 Mayor Kenney appointed Otis to his administration to serve as the Chief Education Officer for the City of Philadelphia, where he leads the Mayor’s Office of Education in supporting the mayor’s goals of creating 25 community schools and expanding quality pre-K. Out of the 21 principals who have served at SPHS, Otis is one of twelve to be recognized as part of their dedication wall, which is displayed in the hallway at the school.
Portrait Unveiling Ceremony honoring Mr. Hackney, Chief Education Officer @JHarper_PHLMOE @PHL_MOE @OtisHackney pic.twitter.com/lAd7R2PxfE
— South Phila. HS (@SouthPhilaHS) April 7, 2017
“It’s an honor to be among my esteemed colleagues who have served the students and staff at South Philadelphia High School,” said Otis. “Every time I get to come back to Southern is a great day.”
Otis’s legacy will continue on at South Philadelphia High School, which in 2016 was designated as one of the City’s first nine community schools, but the connection doesn’t stop there. Janelle Harper, SPHS’s community school coordinator, worked as a family therapist at SPHS while Otis was principal at the school. Now, working closely with the new principal, Kimlime Chek-Taylor, she continues to bring new resources into the school under the community schools initiative.