William Penn Charter School - Leadership

Leadership

John Flagg Gummere, scion of a long line of talented and prominent Quaker educators, was Headmaster from 1941 to 1968. He was a noted Latin scholar (Ph.D., Penn) and author of several widely used textbooks. Dr. Gummere was a loquacious raconteur with seemingly encyclopedic knowledge on many topics. Regarding Penn Charter sports, his variation on Penn's motto for the school (the Gummere variation: "Good Instruction is Better than Losing") says volumes about his attitude toward a coach's teaching role with students. He was followed by Wilbert L. Braxton, a longtime dedicated Penn Charter faculty member and able administrator. Mr. Braxton was Headmaster from 1968 until 1976. He was followed as Head of School by Earl J. Ball III, who skillfully led the school into the 21st Century. After 31 years as Head of School, Earl J. Ball III retired in June 2007. Darryl J. Ford, former director of the Penn Charter Middle School, was appointed as Head of School, by the Board of Overseers after conducting a national search. Dr. Ford is the school's first and only African American Head of School.