Penn Director joins 'all-star team' to work on behalf of Philadelphia’s children
Photo credit: Candace diCarlo
Johnny Irizarry, the director of La Casa Latina: The Center for Hispanic Excellence at Penn, has been appointed to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission, the governing body of the School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell recently announced.
Nutter named Irizarry (pictured) to the commission as part of what the Mayor called an “all-star team” to work on behalf of Philadelphia’s 157,000 public schoolchildren.
He said Irizarry has “demonstrated a commitment to this city” throughout his career and Philadelphia’s students “will benefit greatly from [his] experience and expertise.”
Irizarry came to Penn in January 2008 from The Lighthouse, a North Philadelphia settlement house where for seven years he served as executive director/CEO. He has also led Taller Puertorriqueño, a Puerto Rican and Latino arts and cultural community-based center, and worked as a program specialist for Puerto Rican and Latino Studies for the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Curriculum Support.
He has taught Puerto Rican/Latino art and history as an adjunct instructor at La Salle and currently at Temple. He also lectures on the development of Puerto Rican and Latino history, arts and culture, community arts, culturally inclusive education, arts education and arts and non-profit management.
Irizarry will be sworn in at the April 8 School Reform Commission meeting. He will serve in the unpaid position for four years.
Originally published March 30, 2009
