Samuel Sheridan Named Vice Principal/Athletic Director at Cheltenham High School

With a background in athletic administration and school counseling, Samuel Sheridan has been named vice principal/athletic director at Cheltenham High School. His appointment was approved at the December 10 Legislative Board meeting. 

Sheridan begins his tenure leading Cheltenham’s 27-sports program on January 15, 2025. As a vice principal, Sheridan will oversee the district physical education and health instructional/professional staff by providing professional
development and support with problem-solving, curriculum, and instruction.

“I want to thank the hiring panel and the board for giving me the opportunity to serve the Cheltenham community academically, socially, and of course athletically,” he said. “As a product of District 1, I understand first hand the importance of high-quality programming across the board, and the positive impact that it can have for our young people. I am excited to build upon the strong foundation that’s been laid, and continue to innovate and develop wherever the needs arise.” 

Sheridan previously served as the athletic director at The Academy at Palumbo in the School District of Philadelphia. As AD, Sheridan oversaw and managed athletics for 13 PIAA varsity and JV sports and 10 cooperative partnerships. His duties in that position included payroll, transportation, hiring of coaches/volunteers, gameday operations, discipline, and parent/guardian meetings. Additionally, Sheridan managed compliance for all coaches and student-athletes throughout the three seasons and summer. Prior to serving as athletic director, Sheridan was Palumbo’s varsity wrestling head coach for two seasons and football team defensive coordinator for two seasons.

As a school counselor at Palumbo, Sheridan provided general school counseling and guidance programs and services, including individual counseling and solution-focused guidance. He oversaw attendance plans and truancy protocol and taught sections of senior capstone – a class focused on postsecondary outcomes for the graduating class.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Sheridan was selected as the principal resident at The Academy at Palumbo, from which he received a $25,000 grant, continuing PD and weekly coaching from the School District of Philadelphia to develop skills to be an effective school leader.

A resident of the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, Sheridan earned his bachelor’s degree in social work from Cabrini University, where he was a member of the Phi Alpha and Delta Epsilon Sigma honor societies, and graduated summa cum laude; an M.S.Ed. in school and mental health counseling from the University of Pennsylvania; and an educational policy and school leadership certificate from Temple University. He is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and has Educational Specialist Pk-12 I and Administrative I certifications.