Dr. Nyshawana Francis-Thompson, also known as Dr. Ny is a compassionate, visionary, and influential leader. She is a wife and mother and currently serves as Chief of Curriculum and Instruction in the School District of Philadelphia, where she leads a vision focused on Rigorous, Inclusive, Meaningful and Engaging curriculum and instruction. She is an accomplished Educational Leader with an extensive background in Evidence Based Reading Instruction, Curriculum, Special Education, and Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Instruction.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Coppin State University, and her Master of Science degree in Urban Education, with a Special Education certification from Temple University. She later completed her Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership with a Principal, Curriculum Supervisory, and Superintendent Letter of Eligibility certifications at Saint Joseph’s University.
Dr. Ny was awarded the Overall Excellence award in the Interdisciplinary Doctorate of Educational Leadership program at SJU. Her research covered the intersection of Change theory and Social Capital theory in an international school system’s implementation of a large-scale educational reform effort. She was also awarded Teacher of the Year, Leader of the Year, and Social Justice Activist through her community service work. As an award-winning educator and a dedicated social justice and community activist, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to transform educational spaces through focusing on equity and inclusion.
As part of Dr. Ny’s goal of developing future educators and educational leaders, she serves as an adjunct Professor in Saint Joseph’s University Doctoral program where she co-developed and teaches a course on “Critical Conversations in Social Justice”. She is a member and held leadership positions in prominent organizations such as the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, PA Chapter, and Black Women’s Education Alliance. Dr. Ny’s record of achievements underscores her unwavering commitment to shaping the future of public education.
Dr. Ny’s Thought Prompt:
10 Lessons on Joy from Historical Examples by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad:
Joy is defined by one’s truths, justice, problem-solving, anti-racism and anti-oppression.
Joy is when we define abolition as education and education as abolition.
Joy is liberation and liberty for all.
Joy is connected to self-determination and self empowerment.
Joy is when we center love, music, and art.
Joy is connected to justice and criticality.
Joy is present and experienced when learning is collective and collaborative.
Joy is enacted when young people’s voices and truths are centered and shared.
Joy results from cultivating the mind and heart together.
Joy is healing from past and present societal harms.
Cathy Finley-Hensford’s Nia Asks What is Real Dance? book donation ceremony to Philadelphia Public School Libraries, October 2023 at William Kelley School. From the left, holding the sign Antoinette Coward-Gilmore, Founder, CEO, & Artistic Director, Dance4Nia; Cathy Hensford-Finley, author of Nia Asks What is Real Dance?; Roseanne Liberti & Jenny Burkholder, co-hosts of OVERexpressed & OUT; and on far right Dr. Nyshawana Francis-Thompson, Chief of Curriculum and Instruction in the School District of Philadelphia. Photo: John Flak Photography
Revved Up & Ready to Go Playlist for 2025:
Listen to Dr. Ny’s picks:
“Break My Soul” by Beyonce
“Energy Budget by Toni Jones
“Joy” Voices of Fire feat Pharrell Williams
“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead
“Optimistic” by Sounds of Blackness
Please note the opinions and views expressed in this podcast are solely Dr. Nyshawana Francis-Thompson’s and do not reflect the opinions or beliefs of her affiliated organizations.
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