High school principal earns doctorate in educational leadership

In addition to the responsibilities of his position as principal of Paul VI High School, Haddonfield, Dr. Philip Gianfortune has worked through his own share of schoolwork.

Dr. Gianfortune can add homework to that list, as he recently completed a graduate program at Gwynedd Mercy University in Ambler, Pa., earning his doctorate in educational leadership. His studies were focused on the grade range of preschool to 12th, and his dissertation is titled, “A Comparison Study on the Effects of the Science of Reading on the Primary Classroom.”

“My study closely investigates how teachers and administrators in a Catholic school setting use available data to identify first-, second- and third-grade students’ instructional needs in reading,” he explained. “In addition, the study examined teachers’ practices and routines in reading classrooms, the collaboration between teachers and school administrators, and how they use formal and informal assessment data to evaluate reading curricular materials.”

His dissertation has been published in the university’s library and in an online dissertation database – and he plans to continue learning, and sharing, that knowledge with others by promoting literacy.

Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Gianfortune said, “My biggest takeaway was that the field of education is very vast, and that to be an effective leader, I must dedicate myself to being a lifelong learner,” he said. “I am very humbled by the fact that I learned a great deal in the program, but recognize that as education continues to transform, I, too, must be ready to be a transformational leader that meets the needs of my students and staff.”

Dr. Gianfortune said earning his doctorate was among his life’s goals, and expressed appreciation for his wife, Amanda, and family and the support they provided as he took on his graduate program on top of his role at Paul VI.

“The balance between being the principal of Paul VI High School, a doctoral student, and my duty as a father and husband was challenging,” he said. “I am blessed with a supportive family, three young boys, and an amazing wife who is my biggest champion. I believe all those who supported me helped me to achieve this dream.”