Principal
School District of Philadelphia, Fanny Jackson Coppin School
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, United States
Kelly Espinosa has served as principal of Fanny Jackson Coppin School in the School District of Philadelphia since 2017. Under her leadership, the school has become a model of rapid academic growth, with PSSA proficiency increases of 17.8% in ELA, 33.7% in Math, and 25.4% in Science. Jackson Coppin also achieved the district’s largest post-pandemic reduction in below-basic math scores, decreasing by 37.1%.
Kelly led a historic renaming process with nearly 1,000 stakeholders, making Jackson Coppin the first SDP school to successfully change its name. She is deeply committed to equity, instructional leadership, and expanding opportunities for all students.
A Neubauer Fellow (Cohort 6) and recipient of the 2023 “Shining Light” award, Kelly coaches principal fellows and designs professional development with the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders. She also serves on the District’s Gifted Education Advisory Team and the advisory board of SwiftScore, an emerging edtech company.
Kelly completed her Pennsylvania superintendent certification in 2024 and is pursuing her doctorate at Holy Family University. Her previous roles include instructional coach in Allentown and bilingual charter school teacher in Philadelphia.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Coordinator Roundtable 13: Using a Nuanced Approach to Accelerate High-Performing Students
Friday, November 14, 2025
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET