Jabari Whitehead, Ed.D. is the Principal of Chatham Park Elementary School in the Haverford School District and an adjunct professor at Saint Joseph’s University of Philadelphia teaching doctoral and masters level courses in Educational Leadership. 

With over 20 years of experience as an educator in K-12 in Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and with 13 years in school leadership, Dr. Whitehead has spent his career dedicated to the growth of his students and community. 

Dr. Whitehead received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University, Class of 2017, with a focus on Transformational Leadership and the Socio-Cognitive Theory of Self-Efficacy. His prior education includes an M.S. in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s, Class of 2005, and his B.A. in Elementary Education from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. 

Most recently Dr. Jabari Whitehead has lent his voice to the following…

• Saint Joseph’s University Unlimited Learning Webinar Series: The Role of Mental Health in Education and Leadership (9/18/2020)
• The Bridge Between YouTube Channel with Shannon Cassidy: Journey to Authentic Leadership (7/2/2020)
• The Bridge Between YouTube Channel with Shannon Cassidy: Managing the Fear of Returning to School (8/4/2020)
• WMMR Public Affairs Show– Discussion about Virtual Learning (9/6/2020)
• Partnering with and speaking to police departments regarding policing practices in local municipalities

Additionally, Dr. Jabari Whitehead is an avid reader, journals, a “Crossfitter”, trail hiker, enjoys any time at the beach, and he coaches girls’ youth lacrosse. Dr. Whitehead is the eldest son of Gary and Sheila Whitehead. He is a loving husband to his wife Krista, and father to their two spirited children (daughter Avery, age 11 and son Evan, age 9). 

The real truth, Dr. Whitehead refers to himself as a mess and a masterpiece constantly evolving and becoming. Along the way, he lives each day to add value to the lives of others through vulnerability and connection.

Favorite Quotes:

“The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” — Marcus Aurelius

“The lion’s story will never be known as long as the hunter is the one to tell it.” — West African Proverb

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” — Maya Angelou

This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Quote From Interview:

“It’s interesting to acknowledge that race is a human construct. You’re saying we’re mammals, we’re part of this species, but somewhere along the line, some got ranked and color became a differentiating factor that was used against people.”

Resources:

• Jabari on LinkedIn
• Jabari on Twitter (@JW_Driven2Learn)
• Daily Stoic
• The Color of Water, James McBride
• We Wear A Mask, Paul Laurence Dunbar
• The Difference Between Racism and Colorism

Credits:

Dr. Jabari Whitehead, Producer Ian Devitt, Sheep Jam Productions