(December 21, 2022) With more than 35 years of teaching and administrative leadership experience, William Griffin has been named the guest principal at Glenside Elementary. Griffin, who retired from the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) in July, will be filling in for the remainder of the academic year for principal Michelle Robinson, who is taking an educational sabbatical.

“I’m very honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the guest principal at Glenside,” Griffin said at the December 13 legislative board meeting. “I want to take the experience I have and support the mission and vision of Glenside and of principal Robinson in making sure the school is safe and instruction is a number one priority.

“My educational philosophy is that in order for a school to be successful, that school ensures that every student gets what is needed to be successful,” said Griffin, who started his career and spent several years as a  special education teacher. “The school must put the students first with the goal of developing those students into mindful and productive citizens. In a rapidly changing world, I believe a school must foster the intellectual growth of its students in order to properly prepare those students for careers that will allow them to live successful and productive lives.”

Griffin’s first principalship was at Kennedy Crossan Elementary from 2006-2009. In 2009, he was named principal of the John Hancock Demonstration School, which two years later absorbed the John Hancock Demonstration Middle School - LaBrum Campus. As principal, Griffin consolidated both schools and transformed the LaBrum Middle School into a demonstration school. Prior to being named principal at Crossan, Griffin completed a yearlong, three-component elementary residence/Academy for Leadership in Philadelphia Schools program.  

Griffin holds four certifications: elementary principal, secondary principal, instructional II - mental or physically handicapped (K-12), and instructional II - elementary education (K-6). Griffin earned his bachelor’s degree in education from La Salle University, and a master’s in educational administration from Gwynedd-Mercy University.

Griffin resides in Northeast Philadelphia.