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Ami Patel Hopkins

Ami Patel Hopkins (Mrs. PH) is currently teaching 7th grade math and science for the School District of Philadelphia (SDP). Prior to this, she was the Kindergarten Transition Fellow for SDP. In this role, she worked closely with the early learning team as well as a variety of partner agencies to investigate and create solutions to the infrastructure and operational challenges that hinder successful kindergarten transition. Mrs. PH is also the Founder of Asha Advisors, LLC. Hopkins was also the VP of Teaching, Learning and Innovation at the Philadelphia Education Fund. She spearheaded the Ed Fund’s efforts to ensure excellent teachers in every classroom, driving to enhance the preparation, support, and networking of teachers across the city. Mrs. PH also served as Deputy Education Officer to former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter in the Mayor’s Office of Education. She has worked on education reform issues at the national level through the Alliance for Excellent Education, served as an AmeriCorps member in Maryland, has done college access work in a Baltimore high school, and taught first grade in inner-city Miami. Mrs. PH is also an adjunct professor at Drexel University. She is also the Board Chair of YESPhilly. She lives in Northwest Philadelphia with her husband and son and they are involved with local efforts with the neighborhood public schools. She earned her master’s degree in public policy with a concentration in education policy from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University.

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An Omicron plan from a Philadelphia public school teacher

Jan. 18, 2022 8:54 am

An Omicron plan from a Philadelphia public school teacher

I am now writing to you as a School District of Philadelphia (SDP) teacher and parent of two young children who are not eligible for vaccination. 
Student voice needs to be at forefront of CRT decision-making

Jun. 10, 2021 9:45 am

Student voice needs to be at forefront of CRT decision-making

Legislators in several states, including Pennsylvania, want to ban teaching that acknowledges that the legacy of slavery, segregation, and other forms of institutional racism continues to permeate the social fabric of the nation.
Darnella Frazier’s video was key to Chauvin conviction. Young people are key to achieving justice

Apr. 21, 2021 7:00 am

Darnella Frazier’s video was key to Chauvin conviction. Young people are key to achieving justice

Columnist Ami Patel Hopkins offers resources for educators and parents to continue to empower students and children to use their voices — as 17-year-old Darnella did — and to hold people accountable.
Anti-Asian hate: Silence is not an option and allyship needs to be more than a hashtag

Mar. 18, 2021 8:31 am

Anti-Asian hate: Silence is not an option and allyship needs to be more than a hashtag

Guest columnist Ami Patel Hopkins implores her fellow educators to create spaces for students to speak about what happened in Atlanta and to empower them to dismantle inequities and oppression.
Opinion: COVID-19 is not the only pandemic we are experiencing

Feb. 4, 2021 9:18 am

Opinion: COVID-19 is not the only pandemic we are experiencing

Guest columnist Ami Patel Hopkins says her sixth grade students have asked to talk about "real history" during Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Schools. She explores how to have a dialogue about systemic oppression and inequities with them.
How do I talk to my students about what happened?

Jan. 7, 2021 8:42 am

How do I talk to my students about what happened?

Guest columnist Ami Patel Hopkins says she may not know how to answer her students' questions on yesterday's mob attack on the Capitol, but she shares her approach and the resources that can help.
Opinion: Public voice is important in decisions regarding our public schools

Dec. 17, 2020 9:17 am

Opinion: Public voice is important in decisions regarding our public schools

Decision-makers need to have a true partnership with stakeholders in order to truly engage the public, says guest columnist Ami Patel Hopkins.
Thanksgiving in 2020:  An opportunity to create new Thanksgiving traditions

Nov. 25, 2020 11:00 am

Thanksgiving in 2020: An opportunity to create new Thanksgiving traditions

Holidays will be different this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. Guest columnist Ami Patel Hopkins sees this as an opportunity to create some new traditions for her family and students.
Opinion: What type of world do you want to manifest?

Nov. 13, 2020 8:00 am

Opinion: What type of world do you want to manifest?

"I believe knowledge is the most powerful tool to achieving our goals," says guest columnist Ami Patel Hopkins.
Opinion: Your voice matters and your vote matters

Oct. 30, 2020 12:00 pm

Opinion: Your voice matters and your vote matters

"This week has been a roller coaster of emotions," says guest columnist Ami Patel Hopkins, citing both the police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., and the upcoming presidential election.