Fatim Byrd serves as Director of Education at the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Prior to this position, (2013–2026) Byrd began his career teaching Spanish in Philadelphia schools, where he designed a culturally responsive curriculum aligned to ACTFL and InTASC standards and centered student identity, global awareness, and academic rigor. From 2018–2026, he served as a teacher-leader and union representative, advocating for equitable working conditions, professional integrity, and policies that uplift both educators and students. His leadership emphasized collaboration, principled advocacy, and long-term systems reform.
From 2022–2025, Byrd served as a Teach Plus Pennsylvania Affinity Group Network Facilitator and Senior Support Fellow, supporting educators in translating classroom experience into policy impact. Byrd advocated for state policies that would help solve the issues with the teacher shortage crisis throughout the commonwealth. During 2024–2025, he contributed to the Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition, a cross-sector partnership of more than 50 organizations working to diversify the educator workforce and strengthen teacher retention—helping advance measurable progress toward increasing educator diversity in Philadelphia.
Byrd holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Psychology from Temple University and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education and Spanish from La Salle University. He is the recipient of the Brother Colhocker Award in recognition of his commitment to social justice, equity-centered leadership, and community service.
Email: fbyrd@pa.gov
