April 4, 2025

The School of Education is proud to announce that Tony B. Watlington Sr. Ed.D., Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, will address the Class of 2025 at this year’s school commencement ceremony. The nationally recognized leader and New Jersey native will address School of Education graduates on Wednesday, June 11th at 12:30 p.m. at the Miller Theater.

A proven collaborative and results-oriented leader, Dr. Watlington leads the 8th largest school district in the nation with nearly 200,000 students. Under Dr. Watlington’s leadership, the School District of Philadelphia is among the fastest improving, large urban districts in the country. Much of the success has come from the Superintendent’s dedication to launching standards-aligned math and reading curricula for elementary and middle school public school students in his ongoing tenure.

These improvements come from a five-year plan, Accelerate Philly which prioritizes consultation from local educators as well as national experts and external stakeholders on K-12 education. One key feature is the two-way communication and feedback platform known as “Let’s Talk”. Dr. Watlington’s plan aims to accelerate postsecondary success and career readiness.

A recent study from Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy found that Philadelphia’s district is not just outpacing other Pennsylvania districts post-COVID, but other national urban districts of similar size in math and reading scores in grades 3-8. The district also saw its first increase in enrollment and graduation rates in over a decade.

Dr. Watlington, born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and raised in rural Harnett County, North Carolina, is a first-generation college graduate from North Carolina A&T State University, where he studied History Education. Dr. Watlington also earned his doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He began his career as a teacher in Guilford County, NC, and worked his way up to Chief of Schools in the county, where he was revered for his commitment to academic equity. By the end of his tenure, his district held four of the state’s top five high schools.

Dr. Watlington brought this same success when he was promoted to Superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury schools, the only Renewal School District in North Carolina history. His time there saw him once again commended for his equity-centered plans aimed at improving graduation rates, as well as post-graduation higher education and employment. In his nearly three -year tenure as the head of Philadelphia’s 219 public schools, these same ideals continue to define his career, as he aims to turn the district into the fastest improving, large urban school district in the nation.

Dr. Watlington has received numerous awards throughout his career. Most recently, he was named the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year by the District Administration Leadership Institute.