Our Principals

Shawn Kaplan, Principal

Shawn Kaplan was named Principal at Colonial Middle School in July 2022. He began his administrative career as Assistant Principal at Colonial Middle School, where he served as Athletic Director, supervised several departments, and scheduled Activity Period, among other duties.

Prior to joining the administrative team, he taught both sixth grade and eighth grade English Language Arts at Upper Merion Area Middle School, where he worked to develop curriculum and to design writing instruction and assessment strategies. In addition, he worked on the school leadership team to help implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programming and lead various subcommittees.

Outside of the classroom, Kaplan has coached lacrosse at the youth, high school, and college levels, including helping to lead the Cabrini Cavaliers to winning the 2019 NCAA Division III National Championship. He has coached numerous players who have gone on to earn high school and NCAA All-American honors.

After graduating from Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Kaplan earned a B.A. in Strategic Communications from The Ohio State University. He has also earned an M.Ed in Secondary English Education from Saint Joseph's University and an M.Ed Leadership with Administrative Certification from Cabrini University.

Michael Lyle, Assistant Principal

Mike Lyle is the Assistant Principal who oversees eighth grade, serves as the Athletic Director, and creates the master schedule for the building. He joins the administrative team in his 24th year with Colonial School District. Mr. Lyle, a former Master Teacher, taught math at the middle school and has also taught graduate level classes at the University of Pennsylvania called “Strategies for Teaching Mathematics” and “Strategies for Teaching Mathematics and Science.”

His interaction with students also extends to the athletic realm, where he has served as a coach for varsity football and wrestling at the high school, as well as for softball and track at the middle school.

Mr. Lyle received his associate’s degree from Penn State University, has a bachelor’s degree in Math from Cabrini College, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Gratz College.

Markia McClenton, Assistant Principal

Markia McClenton is the Assistant Principal overseeing students in seventh grade at Colonial Middle School. She worked for the School District of Philadelphia for seventeen years as a teacher and both an elementary school and high school assistant principal prior to being hired by Colonial.

She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Temple University, and holds a principal’s certification and master’s in multicultural education from Eastern University. She also has a dual certification for general education and special education from Eastern University. She intends to study for her doctorate at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Among her professional accomplishments are a certification from the School Turnaround Leadership Institute at Harvard University and a Health Coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Miss McClenton is looking forward to building community and making sure that everyone feels connected and has a sense of belonging at Colonial Middle School.

Marla Spivey, Assistant Principal

Marla Spivey will be the principal who oversees sixth grade at Colonial Middle School. Ms. Spivey

comes to Colonial School District after having served as an assistant principal of Penn Wood Middle School in the William Penn School District, and after holding numerous positions related to instruction and leadership with the School District of Philadelphia. Her undergraduate degree is in economics from Spelman College, and she holds a master’s degree in elementary education from Cheyney University. Her principal’s certificate is from Cabrini University.

One of her professional accomplishments includes being featured by Time magazine as part of an article the magazine published following Philadelphia’s move to privatize some of its schools.

Contact Our Principals

Do you have a question or a concern? We're here to help you. Please don't hesitate to call or email.

Mr. Kaplan, Principal

610-275-5100, ext. 7904

Click here to email Mr. Kaplan.

Mr. Lyle, Assistant Principal

610-275-5100, ext. 7914

Click here to email Mr. Lyle.

Miss McClenton, Assistant Principal

610-275-5100, ext. 7924

Click here to email Miss McClenton.

Mrs. Spivey, Assistant Principal

information TBA