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Damon Saunders serves as the Principal of  William Penn High School after spending 23 years in public education in both Delaware and Maryland. Most recently, he was the principal for five years at a high school in the Red Clay School District. Saunders says he treats all students as if they were his own adding, “I wholeheartedly believe that ALL students can learn at high levels, and this is my goal to ensure that students continue to receive a quality education in an environment that is safe for learning. I am committed to working in partnership with our families, staff, and community to support our students in reaching their maximum potential.”  To ensure that students reach that maximum potential Saunders tells scholars about what he calls the six P’s of success, that’s prior, proper, planning, preventing poor performance. Saunders embraces the district’s Power of We mantra saying “ WE means that we can move mountains together!” In addition to looking forward to working with students at WPHS he wants students and families to know “ I am 100% percent dedicated to working together to help the students reach all goals and work to become productive members of society, and I am super excited to become a part of the Colonial Family!”

Deputy Principal of Operations, Erik Jones,  calls himself “a forever Colonial.” He grew up in the Colonial School District and graduated as a stand-out athlete(1st Team All-State Quarterback, Division 1 Football State Champion, Blue-Gold Allstar) and scholar from William Penn in 1989. Erik says, “I decided to return to Colonial to give back to the same community that supported me through my K-12 experience.” Jones attended Wilmington Manor Elementary, Colwyck Elementary, George Read Middle, and William Penn High. After graduating from Penn, Erik attended Delaware State University on full football scholarship receiving a Bachelor’s degree in 1994. He went on to earn a Masters in Business Administration and School Leadership from Wilmington University. Erik Jones was inducted in the William Penn Hall of Fame in 2016 for his contributions to his alma mater as a student athlete and educator.  Erik has held various positions over the years as a mentor, coach (2009 Basketball State Champion), teacher, student advisor and assistant principal and is guided professionally and personally by a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

Brock Donovan is the Deputy Principal of Academics and a proud product of the Colonial School District. After attending the former McCullough Elementary School and Gunning Bedford Middle School he graduated from William Penn in 2000. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware followed by a Master’s in Education from Wilmington University.  Brock started his career as a teacher at McCullough Middle School in 2007 and then taught at William Penn High School before being promoted to secondary school administrative positions in both Red Clay and the Colonial School District. He enjoys seeing students excel at his alma mater and is professionally and personally guided by a quote from an unknown author that reads, “Commit, Show up, Embrace the Grind.” 

Brock’s wife, Kristin, has been a school counselor at Eisenberg Elementary since 2008 and they have 4 young boys – Hank, George, Brett, and Lou. They enjoy countless hours at ball fields and basketball games as he coaches his son’s travel baseball team with the Delaware Fury and their youth basketball teams.

Assistant Principal Ayanna Cooper began her career as an elementary teacher in the Colonial School District more than 14 years ago. Prior to joining William Penn’s administrative team, she worked as a math interventionist and a student advisor. Ms.Cooper graduated from Cheyney University with a bachelor’s degree in Science Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. She draws professional inspiration from former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, who once said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be.”

Assistant Principal Joe Gleason IV has held many roles in the Colonial School District. He began his career as a 5th-grade special education teacher at New Castle Elementary School and has taught middle school students along with those who participated in Colonial’s Virtual Program. He would later become a student advisor at Southern Elementary School. Gleason graduated from the University of Delaware and earned a Master’s Degree in School Leadership from Wilmington University. Gleason’s passion for education comes from his parents, who were both educators in Delaware public schools. “Colonial School District is a great place to work, I am a proud product of the Power of WE. I have spent my entire career in Colonial, from student teaching to this new chapter. I am excited for the opportunity to work at William Penn and to reconnect with many of my former students. Every day is a great day in Colonial Nation!”

Assistant Principal Dr. Christiana McLean is proud to serve at the largest high school in the state of Delaware.  After teaching at Carrie Downie for 14 years, McLean began her administrative journey, first as a student advisor at William Penn until she was promoted to her present role. Education is Mclean’s second career. Her first career was with the U.S. Army where she earned her Associate of Arts degree at New Mexico Military Institute. She would later obtain a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate from Wilmington University. McLean loves cooking and taking trips to Disney World so it’s no wonder her favorite quote is by the theme park’s founder Walt Disney, “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Assistant Principal Alexis Ricci grew up in the Colonial School District and graduated from William Penn (WP)  in 2009 saying, “I remember being a senior at WP and the veteran staff always reciting ‘Once a Colonial, always a Colonial,’ and today, that popular saying is something I truly live every day!” Ricci began her career as a special education teacher at Southern and Wilmington Manor Elementary Schools. She would later become a student advisor at New Castle Elementary before being promoted to her present role. A graduate of the University of Delaware, Vanover also earned  Master’s degrees from Wilmington University in Special Education and School Leadership. This proud Colonial loves her family and students but that’s not all, “Everyone who knows me, knows I love my dog, Zita. She is such a big part of my life that my husband and I made sure she was in our wedding!”.