Jayda Pugliese is a K–8 Special Education Teacher at John Hancock Demonstration School in the School District of Philadelphia. Currently, she supports students in Grades 6–8 on Hancock’s middle school campus, working across Emotional Support, Learning Support, and Autistic Support programs. Her return to the classroom marks a meaningful full-circle moment in a career that began in special education and has since spanned classroom teaching, school leadership, higher education, and professional development.
Prior to returning to the School District of Philadelphia, Pugliese served as President and Principal of Nazareth Academy Grade School, a private Catholic elementary school in partnership with Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the time of her Milken Educator Award in 2016, Pugliese was a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Andrew Jackson School in the School District of Philadelphia, where she consistently raised expectations for her students through innovative, hands-on learning. More than 80% of her students demonstrated at least one year’s growth in math skills, and many exceeded grade-level expectations through her creative, technology-enhanced instruction. Her STEAM-focused classroom became a model of innovation, equipped with a 3D printer, microscopes, and “snap circuits” for studying electricity—resources she secured through successful DonorsChoose.org campaigns.
Her fifth graders used their 3D printer to design products, write business plans, and present their ideas as part of a classroom “company.” Pugliese also wrote and secured a competitive blended learning grant, training and mentoring colleagues across the district to effectively integrate technology into instruction. Beyond the classroom, she served as a professional learning community leader, grade-band chair, and districtwide professional development facilitator in technology integration and inclusive education. She also founded HYPE (Healthy Youth, Positive Energy), an after-school program that earned recognition as one of Philadelphia’s best while promoting wellness, teamwork, and leadership among students.
In July 2018, Pugliese was appointed Principal of St. Mary Interparochial School in Philadelphia, where she served for seven years and led the school through significant academic growth, innovation, and strategic development. Her leadership encompassed curriculum and instruction, faculty development, student support, technology integration, and community engagement. She emphasized data-informed instruction, STEAM education, accessibility, innovative teaching practices, and meaningful professional development while fostering a collaborative school culture centered on high expectations and continuous improvement. Under Pugliese’s leadership, St. Mary earned recognition as an Archdiocesan School of Distinction and, in 2023, was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. The national recognition reflected the collective accomplishments of the school’s students, faculty, staff, families, and broader community and marked a defining achievement of her tenure. Throughout her seven years as principal, Pugliese strengthened both the academic program and the school's long-term sustainability while creating an environment where students and educators were encouraged to innovate, grow, and succeed.
In July 2025, Pugliese became President and Principal of Nazareth Academy Grade School, located on Holy Family University’s campus. During her tenure, she championed innovation, accessibility, and holistic student growth while establishing an official partnership with Holy Family University. The collaboration created opportunities to enrich student learning, support the professional development of Nazareth Academy Grade School faculty and staff, and strengthen the teaching and learning experiences of preservice teachers, faculty, and staff at the university.
In 2026, Pugliese returned to her roots in special education, joining John Hancock Demonstration School as a K–8 Special Education Teacher. Her current work with middle school students allows her to bring nearly two decades of experience as a special educator, classroom teacher, school administrator, and instructional leader directly back to students. Working across Emotional Support, Learning Support, and Autistic Support settings, she focuses on creating accessible, inclusive learning environments that recognize individual strengths, remove barriers, and provide students with the academic, social, and emotional support necessary for success.
Throughout her career, she has facilitated national and international professional development and training for schools, districts, and universities in best teaching practices; designing accessible instruction for diverse learners; STEAM-based technology integration, including 3D printing, design thinking, digital design, and blended learning; effective leadership; integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into education and leadership; systems-wide strategic planning; and more. Pugliese also serves as an adjunct instructor at Holy Family University, where she mentors future educators in assistive technology, inclusive education, and effective teaching practices. Her leadership and impact have been recognized nationally. She was a 2023 ARTEFFECT Ambassador, a 2022 Fellow at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, a 2021 Performance Partner Program participant within the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders, and a 2019 finalist for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. She has held additional leadership roles, including Vice President of her local TESOL affiliate and member of the Teacher Advisory Council for the Philadelphia Zoo.
Pugliese holds a B.A. in Special Education and Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Literacy, and she is completing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration, all from Holy Family University.
Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Pugliese is the first in her family to graduate from high school and earn a college degree. As a profoundly hard-of-hearing educator who wears bilateral hearing aids, she draws upon her own experiences to advocate for accessibility, empathy, inclusion, and equity in education. Across every stage of her career—from special education teacher to nationally recognized educator, principal and president, university instructor, and now back to the classroom—Pugliese has remained committed to ensuring that all students have meaningful access to learning and the opportunity to recognize their own potential.
Press release: Full STEAM Ahead: Philadelphia Science and Math Teacher First in Nation to Receive 2016-17 Milken Educator Award, $25,000 Cash Prize
