The Team

These individuals are united around a common goal: ensuring that our students are provided with the quality education they deserve and are entitled to so that they will be prepared for college or career and life.

Instructional Staff
English and Social Studies Department
Mr. William Cohen
Mr. Cohen grew up in Fishtown and attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  He graduated in 1998 with a double major in English Literature and English Education.  Mr. Cohen received his Master of Education degree from Gratz College in 2009.  In addition, he is certified in both English and Social Studies and has earned the designation as a Senior Career Teacher in the district. Mr. Cohen has taught over twenty years at Parkway West. Mr. Cohen also serves as the Dean of Students, English School-Based Teacher Leader, and yearbook sponsor.

Mr. Michael Roe
Mr. Roe grew up in South Philadelphia and attended college at Temple University.  He graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in History.  Mr. Roe then attended graduate school at La Salle University where he graduated in 2010 with a Master of Arts in Education, with a certificate in Social Studies for grades 7-12.  He also has a certificate for teaching English to grades 7-12.  Mr. Roe previously taught at Olney Charter High School and Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Philadelphia.  He joined the Parkway West staff in 2019. Mr. Roe lives in Philadelphia with his wife and two children.

Mr. James Santore
The recipient of the 2015 Lindback Distinguished Public High School Educator Award, Mr. Santore is a proud member of the Parkway West High School family.  He teaches English and Social Studies.  In the past, Mr. Santore has served as an MTSS Champion for Academics and as a class sponsor.  He earned undergraduate degrees in social science and secondary education, followed by a master’s degree in English.  Outside of his work at Parkway West, Mr. Santore has taught in the evening school program at Overbrook High School.

Mathematics Department
Mr. Earl Morgan
Mr. Morgan grew up in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia.  He attended the University of Delaware where he served as the Black Student Union President while majoring in Mechanical Engineering.  Mr. Morgan furthered his studies at UD upon graduating with his undergraduate degree, pursuing and obtaining a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance.  He began his career working as a Financial Investment Advisor for individuals and small businesses in the tri-state area.  After 20 years in that field, Mr. Morgan committed to expanding the scope of mathematics as a bridge of discovery for endless possibilities for the classroom.  In addition, Mr. Morgan is the outdoor track coach, an assistant high school football coach, and an avid singer.  He currently resides in Philadelphia and is the proud father of two children.

Mr. Fekade Wajy
Mr. Wajy attended the Graduate School of Education at Drexel University in Philadelphia where he successfully completed the teacher certification program with concentration in secondary mathematics and later earned a Master of Science degree in Instructional Science.  He then went on to work for the School District of Philadelphia as a teacher of secondary mathematics, first at Benjamin Franklin High School.  Then, through the site selection process, Mr. Wajy moved to Parkway West High School where he previously spent time as a student teacher while completing the requirements for teacher certification.  He holds an Instructional II certificate in Mathematics 7-12.  Mr. Wajy resides in Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.

Science Department
Mr. Evren Çakir
Mr. Çakır grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and graduated from Haverford College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a minor in Physics.  He was selected as a NOYCE Scholar to encourage natural science majors to enter the field of education.  Mr. Çakır came to Parkway West High School as a student-teacher in the fall of 2012.  After two years teaching in New Jersey, he returned to Parkway West High School in the fall of 2015 and has been teaching a variety of mathematics and science courses ever since.  In addition to his work in the classroom, Mr. Çakır has worked as the senior sponsor for the classes of 2019 and 2021 in addition to advising a variety of after-school clubs and activities. Commonly known as Chuck, he enjoys basketball and cooking.

Ms. Ashley Figaniak
Ms. Figaniak, affectionately known as “Ms. F.,” was born and raised in the Philadelphia area.  After earning her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education/General Science from The University of Scranton, she returned to start teaching for the School District of Philadelphia.  Ms. Figaniak continued her education and has earned her master’s degree in Urban Education from Temple University.  Ms. Figaniak loves sharing her love of science with her students and enjoys every day that she gets to laugh with her kids.  She is committed to helping her students become personally and academically successful in her classroom and for their futures.  Outside of school, Ms. F. is busy with her baby, Max, and her dog, Oreo.

Mr. Paul Szeliga
Mr. Szeliga grew up in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.  He graduated from Philadelphia University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.  Mr. Szeliga received his Master of Education from Chestnut Hill College in 2010.  He started teaching at Parkway West High School as a science teacher in 2005 with an Instructional II certification in Chemistry.  In 2008, Mr. Szeliga was promoted to the Roster Chair position of Parkway West High School.  He also has the honor to coach the Girls Varsity Softball team (2007-PIAA Highly Qualified Certification), Girls Varsity Basketball team (2018-PIAA Highly Qualified Certification), and the Girls JV Volleyball team (2016-PIAA Satisfactory Certification).  Mr. Szeliga currently lives outside the City of Philadelphia with his wife and twin boys.

Special Education Department
Ms. Arlene Capers
Ms. Capers grew up in West Philadelphia.  She has been employed with the School District of Philadelphia for more than thirty years in various positions.  Ms. Capers is a graduate of Temple University, where she was awarded an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education.  She also holds a master’s degree in Special Education from Eastern University.  In addition to her passion for teaching, Ms. Capers is also a licensed CPR/First Aid/AED Red Cross instructor.

Mr. Joseph Pasquarello
Mr. Pasquarello is West Philadelphia (Overbrook) born and raised…  He was called to become an educator later in life.  Prior to becoming a special education teacher, Mr. Pasquarello worked many jobs in the skilled trades.  He attended West Chester University where he majored in Special Education.  Mr. Pasquarello then continued on to earn his master’s in education from West Chester with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Mr. Pasquarello is the Special Education Compliance Monitor (SpECM) and also the Learning Support teacher at Parkway West High School.  He has worked within the School District of Philadelphia for twelve years as a middle school social studies teacher, autistic support teacher, learning support teacher, and SpECM.

Christine Nalepka

Denesha Simmonds

Ms. Simmonds was born and raised in West Philadelphia. She attended public school within the Philadelphia School District and is proud to be teaching for this District. Shenow serves as a Autistic Support Special Education Teacher at Parkway West High School, where she is the case manager for Diverse Learners. Ms. Simmonds attended West Chester University for her undergraduate degree in English with a concentration in Writing, and is now enrolled at Grand Canyon University for her Masters in Special
Education. Ms. Simmonds has been in the education field for 5 years and has a strong passion for advocating for students with disabilities and preparing them for life after high school. Her mission is to encourage and ignite a passion for self determination in her students. Ms. Simmonds takes pride in the role she plays in making her students prepared for a fulfilling and successful life. She currently lives in Philadelphia with her three children. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family, completing puzzles, and doing DIY projects around her home.

Career and Technical Education Department
Ms. Myra Evans
Course Taught: Early Childhood Education 1
Ms. Evans was born, raised, and went to high school in West Philadelphia.  She now serves as a Career and Technical Education teacher at Parkway West High School, where she has been for the past four years and where she teaches the level one course in the Early Childhood Education program.  Ms. Evans is delighted to be back teaching in the same community she was raised in.  A graduate of Eastern University where she majored in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Evans went on to receive a master’s degree in Early Childhood Leadership from Keystone College.  Ms. Evans has been in the education field for over 20 years and has a strong background in early childhood education programs throughout the City of Philadelphia.  Her mission is to encourage and ignite a passion for teaching in her students.  Ms. Evans takes pride in the role she plays to make her students the educators of tomorrow!  She currently lives in Philadelphia with two kids and, outside of school, devotes a great deal of time to her favorite hobby–food blogging.

Ms. Yenda Hall
Course Taught: Early Childhood Education 3
Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Mrs. Hall and her husband have raised two sons.  She has been in the early childhood field for over 40 years in various capacities and has successful experience opening and operating quality child care centers, which were culturally diverse and available to families of all socioeconomic backgrounds.  It has been the goal of Mrs. Hall to help students set their goals and create an actionable plan to bring them to fruition.  Knowing the importance of having strong and supportive educators in our communities, Mrs. Hall considers it a privilege to be a teacher with the School District of Philadelphia where she has the opportunity to help students become educators for the next generation.

Ms. Kish Taylor
Course Taught: Early Childhood Education 2
Ms. Taylor grew up in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, is her parents’ youngest child and is the only sister to two brothers.  She enjoys all sports, but football is her favorite!  Ms. Taylor is a proud graduate of the School District of Philadelphia.  She has been teaching for over 25 years and has taught both children and adults.  Ms. Taylor became a teacher because of the positive, supportive, and motivating experience from her 12th grade English teacher.  She attended Harcum College and Temple University, as well as Cabrini College, where she obtained her master’s degree in education.  Ms. Taylor’s goal as an educator is to build positive relationships and educational experiences for all her students and families.  She is the proud mother of three daughters and a dog.

World Language Department
Jan Cohen

Physical Education and Health Department
Mr. Brian Beaton
Mr. Beaton is a proud product of the School District of Philadelphia.  After receiving his professional education in Health and Physical Education at Pennsylvania State University, he returned to the district to begin his teaching career in 1996.  Mr. Beaton came to Parkway in 2005 where he took on the roles of the Athletic Director and coach of the boys’ and girls’ volleyball team.  The girls’ team has won 4 championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and has been in the playoffs for 16 years straight.  He continues to live in Philadelphia with his wife (also a teacher in Philadelphia) and two daughters who are products of the school district.

 

Pupil Personnel Services Staff
School Counselor
Mrs. Vanessa Drago
Mrs. Drago was born and raised in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.  She attended Temple University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in English and Secondary Education.  While teaching at Parkway West, Mrs. Drago earned her Master of Arts in Counseling.  She has worked for the School District of Philadelphia and Parkway West for twenty years as a teacher and school counselor.  Mrs. Drago is the school counselor for 11th and 12th grade students.  Additionally, she serves as test coordinator, AP coordinator, and Attendance Designee.

School Nurse
Dominique Sadler
School Psychologist
Ms. Amanda Breuing
Ms. Breuing serves as the School Psychologist at Parkway West.  She received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Statistical Methods from Boston University where she was on the Women’s Rowing team.  Following a year of travel around the world, Ms. Breuing became a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia through the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows.  She earned a Master of Arts in Special Education from Arcadia University and taught for several years in both Philadelphia and Seattle, WA.  Feeling a pull towards School Psychology (and the east coast), Ms. Breuing enrolled in the City University of New York, Brooklyn College where she earned an Advanced Master’s Degree in School Psychology.  Ms. Breuing’s goal as a School Psychologist is to help students access the education they deserve and work collaboratively with teachers to make this happen.

School Speech and Language Pathologist
Mrs. Josette Pacharis
Mrs. Pacharis is the speech-language therapist at Parkway West.  She received a Master of Education in school-based Speech-Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University in 2012 and a Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology in 2008.  Mrs. Pacharis has worked in the school setting for 13 years and has been servicing children with communication disorders in Philadelphia public and charter schools since 2012.  She lives in Springfield, Delaware County with her husband and 2 children.

 

Program Support Staff
School-Based Teacher Leader
Mr. Richard L. Daniels
Mr. Daniels earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Drexel University, as well as a master’s degree in mathematics and secondary education from Arcadia University.  He holds certification in Mathematics 7-12; additionally, Mr. Daniels has completed all requirements for administrative certification in the area of Secondary Principal 7-12.  Mr. Daniels has experience serving in roles outside of the classroom, which have included but are not limited to Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) building representative, school growth teacher, small learning community (SLC) coordinator, organizational chairperson, roster chairperson, dean of students, department head, and school-based teacher leader for mathematics.

Office Manager
Beverly Brooks

Building Engineer
Michael Roepel