Leadership
Principal: Kenneth Orange
Mr. Orange is honored to serve as the Proud Principal of the Allen M. Stearne School, with a vision to empower every student who walks through our doors. For the past two years, he has been a change agent and made improvement in the areas of attendance, academic and social-emotional growth while decreasing metrics like serious incidents and scholar suspension rates. His goal is for each child to recognize their own potential and harness it to make a meaningful impact on the world. By equipping them with knowledge and fostering resilience, Mr. Orange believes that education becomes a tool for enduring success in today’s world.
Before joining Stearne’s leadership team, Kenneth Orange accumulated extensive experience in education throughout Philadelphia since 2005. His roles have included Teacher and Team Leader in alternative education, Dean and Assistant Principal in a Charter School Network, and Climate Manager and Assistant Principal in the Philadelphia School District.
West Chester University is where Mr. Orange earned his undergraduate degree, in 2001, and began his understanding of the needs of the youth of the Philadelphia area. It is also where he met his wife. He furthered his education, earning a dual Master’s Degree in Education and Psychology from Arcadia University in 2008. Years in the field of education and mentoring youth, including his adolescent son, have solidified his belief that the power of a person comes through the application of the knowledge they have obtained. Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. In his first year as an assistant principal, Mr. Orange’s team increased attendance 11.7% for the year, which is a record for the learning network. His team was also recognized with multiple awards for PBIS, including implementation and participation (which also increased by record numbers in the district.)
Assistant Principal: Garry Beverly
Mr. Garry Beverly is excited to join the wonderful staff and school community of Allen M. Stearne School, Mr. Beverly is a native of Philadelphia, growing up in the Germantown section of the city. As a product of the Philadelphia public school system, he understands how a quality education can change your quality of life. Mr. Beverly enters his third year as an assistant principal and prior to him joining the Allen M. Stearne team Mr. Beverly worked at Lindley Academy Charter School since 2015 holding multiple job titles and responsibilities: elementary school dean, middle school dean, MTSS coordinator, climate manager as well as the assistant principal for the last two years. Prior to 2015 Mr. Beverly worked for Camelot Education at numerous schools across the city of Philadelphia and in Pensacola, Florida. Mr. Beverly is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and in 2020 graduated from Point Park University with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
On a personal note Mr. Beverly and his wife Syrita have recently celebrated five years of marriage. The couple shares two beautiful children together who are currently entering the third and the sixth grades. They also own a beautiful English bulldog named Halo. For leisure time Mr. Beverly enjoys physical fitness; basketball, weight training and running, attending sporting events and playing video games.
Climate Manager: Jarae Bowman
Ms. Jarae Bowman serves as the Climate Manager at Allen M. Stearne within the Philadelphia School District, where she is dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for students and staff. As a proud graduate of the Philadelphia School District, she brings a deep understanding of the community and its unique challenges.
Ms. Bowman holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Voorhees University. With a strong background in criminal justice, she applies her knowledge and skills to effectively manage and improve school climate, focusing on proactive strategies to prevent conflicts and promote positive behavior. Passionate about helping inner-city youth, she has held several positions working directly with young people, striving to make a meaningful impact on their lives and futures.
As a transformational leader, guiding the Stearne community through a period of remarkable growth has been both rewarding and impactful. Our success is evident in the significant improvement in attendance numbers, the successful implementation of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), and the effective incentivization of our scholars’ positive behaviors. This progress has not only fostered a more engaging and supportive learning.
g environment but has also played a crucial role in reducing negative school climate indicators, such as serious incidents, bullying, and student out-of-school suspensions. Ms. Bowman’s unwavering dedication has been instrumental in making the Sterane School a safe and nurturing place for all students. Her commitment to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and safety ensures that every student feels valued and supported, creating an environment where learning can thrive.
