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.

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.

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. 

Anne Olvera, E.M. Stanton School

Philadelphia

Anne Olvera has been a teacher for 32 years. She graduated from Marquette University and taught in the Milwaukee Public Schools for ten years before moving to Philadelphia and completing a masters degree at Cabrini University. She has been teaching in the Philadelphia Public Schools since she moved here. She has always taught in middle school and has taught all subjects. She is currently teaching 5th grade reading and writing at E.M. Stanton School. She is the sponsor and facilitator for the school student government at Stanton and helped to create the school constitution. She also serves as a member of the Cultural Arts committee at school and is a Writers Matter teaching artist and leader. She is passionate about literacy and civics education. She serves as the building representative for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. She also was the recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Chanelle Williams, Mastery Charter Pickett 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.