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. 

Paul Cindric, Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Allegheny County

Paul is a native and resident of Versailles Borough, outside of Pittsburgh.  He obtained his undergraduate degree at Duquesne University and holds graduate degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Point Park University.  Paul earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Point Park University along with his Pennsylvania Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. 

Dr. Cindric has worked in education for over 30 years as a middle school and high school Social Studies teacher, principal, Social Studies supervisor, and currently holds the position of Program Director for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Education at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Braddock Battlefield Museum, a member of McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center, an amateur genealogist, and a soprano saxophone player/vocalist in Bésame, a Pittsburgh-based Latin American band.

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.

Abigail Henry, Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus

Philadelphia

Abigail Henry has been teaching African-American History at Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus for the past 11 years.  As content lead for the network she spearheads professional and curriculum development. Recently Abigail won a Pulitzer Center Grant to incorporate the NYTimes' 1619 Project into curriculum, and she continues to write and speak about her work for the Pulitzer Center. She continues to additionally work as an Adjunct Professor for St. Michael's College where she developed a course titled "African American History for Teachers."   Her other African-American History consulting is being provided for Villanova University, PBS, and the Trellis for Tomorrow Foundation. In 2023-2024 she is piloting AP African American Studies.

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. 

 

Chanelle Williams, Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus

Philadelphia

I am in my sixth year of teaching ninth-grade African American History at Mastery Charter School. As I enter my veteran years of teaching, I have developed a passion for policy and civic engagement. Within the past 2 years, I have taken on two fellowships that are focused on the goal of policy change/reform in education. I had the pleasure of serving as a 2023 Teach Plus Fellow with a working group tasked with coming up with a policy plan that "Reimagines Teacher Preparation." I am a graduate of Kutztown University's School of Education. I am excited to bring my knowledge to the Committee of 70 and collaborate with like-minded individuals.