Mrs. Donna Ragsdale is a seasoned educational leader serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Learning Network 1 in the School District of Philadelphia. With a career spanning over two decades, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to enhancing educational outcomes and fostering inclusive school communities. In 2024, Mrs. Donna Ragsdale was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Learning Network 1, overseeing a diverse group of schools including Add B. Anderson, Andrew Hamilton, Avery D. Harrington, Benjamin B. Comegys, Henry C. Lea, John Barry, John M. Patterson, Joseph W. Catharine, Penrose, S. Weir Mitchell, Sadie Alexander, Thomas G. Morton, William C. Bryant, William C. Longstreth, and William T. Tilden Schools. Mrs. Ragsdale's role is to advance the district's mission to provide equitable and high-quality education to all students. She serves as a key leader, collaborating with school principals and central office teams to implement the district's strategic initiatives and ensure the success of each school under her purview. Her responsibilities include: Guiding and support school principals in enhancing instructional practices, ensuring alignment with district goals, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, using data to drive decision making, providing professional development to school leaders, collaborating with leaders develop and execute school improvement plans. She is also responsible for fostering relationships with families, community organizations, and stakeholders to build support for schools and ensure that community needs are addressed as well as ensuring that schools comply with district policies, state regulations, and federal guidelines, maintaining a safe and effective learning environment.

Her role requires her to be a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of educational practices, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Donna began her career in 1998 as a teacher at Pennell Elementary School, where she also held roles as Dean of Students and School-Based Teacher Leader over a span of 10 years. Her leadership journey continued as she became the Principal of James Alcorn Elementary School for one year, before dedicating 13 years as Principal of Prince Hall Elementary School in the Ogontz neighborhood. During her tenure at Prince Hall, the school achieved significant academic improvements, including a 10.2 percentage point increase in Grade 3 reading proficiency and a 20.5 percentage point decrease in students assessed as reading below basic. Additionally, the school saw a 12.1 percentage point decrease in students assessed as math below basic and a 6.3 percentage point increase in teacher attendance. These accomplishments contributed to four consecutive years of improvement on the district’s School Progress Report.