Team

Working directly with school partners and program participants, Aubrey is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Penn Talent Search program.  Through fostering strong connections, she hopes to extend the program’s outreach and ensure the academic and personal success of all its participants.

Over the past five years, Aubrey has worked as an educator with a passion for educational equity and culturally responsive pedagogy.  She has taught literature, theater and writing classes at several schools in the School District of Philadelphia as well as a charter school in Kensington.

Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Aubrey earned her B.A. in English Literature and Fiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She later earned her Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Temple. Outside of work, Aubrey enjoys spending time with her three nephews, going to the gym, and trying new recipes in the kitchen.

Andrea works closely with her Talent Search colleagues to assure the successful delivery of services to our middle school and high school participants. As Administrative Coordinator, she handles many behind-the-scenes operations that keep the program running, including purchasing, record-keeping, communication, and social media.

Andrea has a decade of experience working with Philadelphia K-12 students in her previous role as a school librarian and is a former Weigle Information Commons intern at Penn’s Van Pelt Library.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Andrea earned her B.A. in English at the University of Delaware and M.S. in Library & Information Science at Drexel University. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, reading as many books as possible, and doting on her two fluffy cats.

At Talent Search, Sofia works directly with middle and high school students, helping them achieve their educational goals. Communicating with students, families, and educators, Sofia is dedicated to developing curriculum and programs that meet Talent Search students’ needs.

Before joining Talent Search, Sofia taught and tutored at the middle school, high school, and college levels. She was a first-year writing and creative writing instructor at Temple University, where she prioritized interactive, student-centered learning. She also has several years of experience in the field of college advising, having guided many students through the college applications process.

Sofia earned her Bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from the University of Pennsylvania. She later pursued an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Temple University. A lifelong Philadelphian, Sofia’s passions include literacy, education, and the arts.