The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on literacy, leadership and workforce readiness. Our mission is to advance reading, math, and science literacy, helping to close the achievement gap for scholars in the at-risk community of South St. Petersburg, FL. We believe that improving academic achievement helps to break the cycle of generational poverty and enhance economic mobility. Our vision is to change the trajectory of South St. Pete residents by preparing our scholars to compete for careers which provide an opportunity for self-fulfillment and the earning power to sustain their families.
SPPF provides direct educational interventions to scholars from kindergarten through 10th grade. The organization leverages a unique model which relies heavily on regular assessments, certified teachers, and research-based curriculum to advance scholars toward grade level performance.
The SPPF M.A.S.T.R. Kids® (Math, Art, Science, Technology, Reading) Program launched in 2016 as a summer camp designed to reduce summer learning loss, the first in the community to focus on academic enrichment at a low cost for families. Community listening led SPPF to two important differentiators: 1) certified teachers and 2) rigorous outcome measurement. By 2020, SPPF had enough positive outcome data to secure funding for an afterschool session, accelerating achievement gains for scholars. By 2021, SPPF had proven to be adaptable and resilient, with the academic model generating success despite COVID. Community demand grew, funders noticed, and SPPF expanded to a 2nd site. In 2023, SPPF launched the High School M.A.S.T.R. Plan Program to address lower rates of high school graduation in the community. In 2025, again prompted by demand and funder support, SPPF opened a 3rd site. Today, we serve nearly 300 students annually from more than 20 community schools. More than 85% of the scholars served are from low-income households.
Data and measurement are key differentiators for SPPF which have allowed the organization to demonstrate a high level of success and continuous improvement. During the last academic year, 73% of year-round scholars were reading on grade level in July ’25 vs. 29% in August ’24. 94% of scholars attending our summer program avoided the summer slide with 72% of scholars actually improving their reading performance.
All members of the SPPF team have passion for the mission as well as a desire to develop holistic solutions that create success for children and families in the community. Our culture requires a level of sensitivity that comes with serving an at-risk population which has developed a healthy distrust of all things viewed as a part of “the system.” A significant majority of the community residents, hence the scholars and families served, are African Americans.
The Academic Officer is the senior academic leader of SPPF and reports to the Chief Executive Officer. This leader is responsible for ensuring that our academic model is articulated, implemented and regularly tested and improved to accelerate learning for all scholars, moving them to grade level in reading, math, and science and preparing them for the careers of the future.
The Academic Officer is responsible for hiring, leading, and developing 40 – 50 academic staff members across three sites. As the academic staff represents the largest group of employees, the Academic Officer is a significant contributor to overall program quality and culture.
The Academic Officer serves as a member of the Executive and Leadership Teams, is the liaison to the Board’s Education Committee and is the primary representative of SPPF in many interactions with the Pinellas County School District and community organizations where best practices are shared.
The position is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. It is a full-time role requiring that a majority of time is spent on-site or in the community. The role requires the demonstrated ability to build trust and relationships in an economically and culturally similar community.
Application submissions will be reviewed beginning the week of November 19, 2025. Our timeline for onboarding the Academic Officer is no later than February 2026.
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume in one document to Dr. Phildra Swagger, phildra.swagger@sppf.org.