Kimlime Chek-Taylor Named Assistant Principal At South Philadelphia High

Friday, September 03, 2010

Apparently some things really do happen after all.

Kimlime Chek-Taylor, a veteran Philadelphia educator of Cambodian descent, has been named assistant principal at troubled South Philadelphia High School, fulfilling Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's earlier notice that she would name an Asian to the post.

Chek-Taylor was previously dean of students at John Taggart, a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school.

She immigrated to this country as a child with her family, learning to speak English through school classes, a life experience that mirrors those of many Asian students at South Philadelphia High.

New principal Otis Hackney said he wanted Chek-Taylor on his staff to broaden the diversity of the school leadership, but even more because of her ability and experience.

"It wasn't for optics," Hackney said. "It was for substance."

Chek-Taylor is bilingual, speaking both English and Khmer, the Cambodian language. She graduated from Easton (Pa.) High School.