Shawanna James-Coles
Shawanna joined Lower Merion School District in July 2022 as the Director of Diversity & Inclusion. Prior to joining LMSD, she was the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Education for the Centennial School District. She has also served Centennial as the Assistant Director for Elementary Education: K-12 Equity Coordinator for the Centennial School District; Principal of Practice: Equity, Inclusion and Family and Community Engagement Coordinator and as an elementary school principal. Prior to joining Centennial, Ms. James-Coles worked as an instructional specialist, instructional reform facilitator, and teacher in the School District of Philadelphia.
Ms. James-Coles is currently pursuing her doctorate at Immaculata University. She holds a master’s in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University and a master’s in Elementary Education from Cambridge College. She received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Temple University.
Regarding her new position, Ms. James-Coles said, “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to join the Lower Merion School District. I hope to utilize my 27 years in education as a leader and advocate for students and families. I will draw upon my experience in administrative and academic leadership, working with diverse groups, increasing family and community engagement, and providing a positive school and work environment to address the vast needs of students and to help underrepresented student groups achieve.”
Ms. James-Coles has been married to her high school sweetheart, Bernardo Coles, for 28 years. They have two children who are her pride and joy, Jared (25) and Kelli (20). Spending time with family is essential for Ms. James-Coles; therefore, her personal hobbies are centered around enjoying time with family, such as weekend getaways and summer vacations to the beach, Sunday dinners, playing board games and curling up with warm blankets while watching movies.
Shawanna joined Lower Merion School District in July 2022 as the Director of Diversity & Inclusion. Prior to joining LMSD, she was the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Education for the Centennial School District. She has also served Centennial as the Assistant Director for Elementary Education: K-12 Equity Coordinator for the Centennial School District; Principal of Practice: Equity, Inclusion and Family and Community Engagement Coordinator and as an elementary school principal. Prior to joining Centennial, Ms. James-Coles worked as an instructional specialist, instructional reform facilitator, and teacher in the School District of Philadelphia.
Ms. James-Coles is currently pursuing her doctorate at Immaculata University. She holds a master’s in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University and a master’s in Elementary Education from Cambridge College. She received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Temple University.
Regarding her new position, Ms. James-Coles said, “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to join the Lower Merion School District. I hope to utilize my 27 years in education as a leader and advocate for students and families. I will draw upon my experience in administrative and academic leadership, working with diverse groups, increasing family and community engagement, and providing a positive school and work environment to address the vast needs of students and to help underrepresented student groups achieve.”
Ms. James-Coles has been married to her high school sweetheart, Bernardo Coles, for 28 years. They have two children who are her pride and joy, Jared (25) and Kelli (20). Spending time with family is essential for Ms. James-Coles; therefore, her personal hobbies are centered around enjoying time with family, such as weekend getaways and summer vacations to the beach, Sunday dinners, playing board games and curling up with warm blankets while watching movies.