Teacher Advisory Council Members
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Teacher Advisory Council Members

Athan Biss, The Baldwin School

Montgomery County

Athan Biss attended Princeton University and the University of Wisconsin, where his disseratation focused on the intersection of African American History and U.S. Diplomatic History. He taught high school in New York City and Madison, Wisconsin before moving to Pennsylvania. He has taught History and Civics at the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA for six years and is the proud father of three girls. 

Alisha Davis, Constitution High School

Philadelphia

Alisha is a social studies teacher at Constitution HS in Philly with nine years of experience in instructional design, curriculum development, and information literacy instruction. For the last two years, she has served Con High's voter champion, supporting youth civic engagement and voter registration. Con High was recognized as a gold-level recipient of the 2021-2022 Pennsylvania Governor's Civic Engagement award for this work.
 

Michele Papalia Halloran, Allderdice High School

Allegheny County

Michele is a Social Studies teacher and Department Chair at Allderdice High School in the Pittsburgh School District.  She attended the University of Pittsburgh for undergraduate studies and Duquesne University for her master’s degree.  Michele has been a teacher in Pittsburgh Public Schools for 17 years, has written curriculum for Civics, and has been an AP reader.  Michele has also sponsored the Black Student Union and the Travel Club (traveling to various countries around the world) for seven years.  She currently teaches AP U.S. Government and Politics.

David Harhai, Chartiers Valley HS

Allegheny County

David has 32 years teaching Social Studies at Chartiers Valley HS. He is a Student Assistance Program team member and faculty representative for the District Safety Committee. He is a locally elected Borough Councilmember of West Homestead and a 41-year member of the West Homestead Volunteer Fire Department, presently serving as Safety Officer.  He serves as Commencement Director and has served on various teacher leadership teams during his tenure at Chartiers Valley HS.  In addition, he works with representatives from the League of Women Voters during their annual visit to the school and assist them with a voter registration drive for our eligible students.

Michael Horwits, Central High School

Philadelphia

Michael teaches Advanced Placement Government & Politics and Social Science at his alma mater, Philadelphia's Central High School, the second oldest public high school in the country. Michael coordinates the Power of Student Voices, a program designed to engage students in the political process and instill them with a sense of political efficacy, and is a reader for the AP US Government and Politics exam. He is also a member of the Associated Alumni Association of Central High School, sponsor of the Jewish Student Union, Varsity Boys Tennis Coach, and Tournament Director of PIAA XII Golf. Michael holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government.

Charlie McGeehan, Academy at Palumbo

Philadelphia

Charlie McGeehan teaches Social Studies, coaches Mock Trial, and is the Voter Champion at the Academy at Palumbo in South Philadelphia. He has taught in the School District of Philadelphia for the past 10 years, previously at The U School and Kensington CAPA. He is a founding member of Building Antiracist White Educators (BARWE), and a former member of the Learning For Justice Advisory Board. He lives in South Philly with his wife, their two kids, and their dog. 

Matt Mutschler, Urban Pathways Charter School 

Allegheny County

I am a proud Penn State University (bachelor's) and Point Park University (master's) graduate. I have been working at Urban Pathways Charter School (6-12) in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh for the past 12 years. I look forward to helping the students of the commonwealth discover the power of their voice through civic engagement.