Administrative Team

I’m excited to welcome you to Hanby Elementary School!  We are a kindergarten through fifth grade school located in North Wilmington. At Hanby, we believe that every child can learn and reach their full potential in the warm, caring environment that is provided by our amazing staff and school community. Hanby adheres to a rigorous curriculum and pacing provided by the Brandywine School District, in all core academics. While our academic rigor is challenging, our Hanby Bees continue to learn and grow due to our multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). We provide clear behavioral expectations along with incentives. To support our students' social emotional wellbeing, all students receive SEL lessons aligned with skill building. In addition, Hanby offers supports for students who may be struggling with peer relationships, anxiety, impulsivity, or anger regulation. Finally, evidenced-based reading and math interventions are provided in small groups as well. We believe this whole child approach is the key to student success.

 

This is my third year as Hanby’s proud princiPAL! My love for Hanby began in 2019 when I became Hanby’s Dean of Students and then served as Hanby’s Assistant Principal. Over the many years I have been in education, I have served as a special education teacher and special education coordinator. I graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a minor in Sociology, and graduated from Temple University with a masters degree in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. In addition, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend Harvard for a summer session focused on educational leadership.   

 

At home, I am a proud mom of two young men. My oldest attends law school and my youngest attends Harvard as a student athlete (wrestling). I can’t forget to mention that I am married to a great guy who has put up with me for more than 25 years. We enjoy traveling, cheering for all Philadelphia teams, and just having a nice cup of coffee at home!

 

My name is Ms. Dana Jackson. I am the proud Assistant Principal of Hanby Elementary. I’m thrilled to support teachers, staff, and students as we thrive each day.

 

I am a native of Wilmington, Delaware, with the fulfilling experience of leading within the Brandywine School District, where I learned as a child. I studied Elementary Teacher Education and School Leadership at the University of Delaware and Wilmington University. I began my first year as a teacher about 18 years ago. After teaching, I went on to become a Dean of Students, and am now enjoying my role as Assistant Principal. 

 

In addition to being a life-long educator, I am committed to providing community service, teaching mindfulness and social-emotional education to teens, promoting literacy to young learners, and encouraging green sustainability practices within our surrounding area. In my personal life, I have the privilege of spoiling my 6-year-old goddaughter and living with one feisty and sophisticated fur baby. I like to begin my day with iced coffee and Apple Music. My favorite pastime activities are walking the Delaware River while listening to music, taking weekend road trips, swimming, making candles, attending outdoor festivals, and cruising antique shops. 

 

I am enthusiastic about providing engaging and meaningful learning opportunities for all students. I truly believe that a good education is the foundation for a better future. I also believe in a partnership among staff, families, and students. Providing the tools for greatness is a team effort!

Welcome to Hanby Elementary School. My name is Dana Rodriguez, and it’s my pleasure to introduce myself as the Dean of Students. I am truly honored to be a part of this wonderful school community.

 

With over thirteen years as an elementary educator, I’ve taught students from kindergarten through fifth grade in various capacities. Before joining Hanby, I served as an elementary teacher in the Christiana School District, bringing a wealth of experience to our pursuit of excellence at Hanby Elementary.

 

My educational experiences have afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. My educational philosophy is based on my uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family. 

 

I am proud to serve our school community. Together, we can achieve great things for our students!