Sarah Gearhart

I am a champion for equity, committed to ensuring that all students have access to schools that empower them to reach their full potential. My passion lies in building school cultures that use data strategically to drive positive outcomes for students.

My career began in Philadelphia, where I worked directly with students as a GEAR-UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) tutor, supporting those reading below grade level. That experience led me to the front of the classroom, where I taught middle and high school students, deepening my understanding of the challenges and opportunities within schools.

Expanding my impact beyond the classroom, I later transitioned to the New Jersey Department of Education as a policy specialist. There, I played a key role in developing the methodology for identifying schools in need of support and improvement under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Building on this work, I returned to Philadelphia, serving in the School District’s Charter Schools Office and later as an independent consultant, helping schools leverage data to enhance student success.

Now, as Director of Data Strategy and Analytics at Elevate 215, I am excited to bring my experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to advance our mission and support schools citywide.

An alumna of the Strategic Data Project at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, I earned my B.A. from Temple University and an M.S. from Drexel University before returning to Temple to complete my Ph.D. in Urban Education.

Beyond my professional work, I am a proud mother of a Philadelphia public school student and an active member of my community, serving as a board member of South Kensington Community Partners. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my family, gardening, and ceramics.