Chris Pugliese’s journey has come full circle—back to Bonner & Prendie, where his passions for education, community, and golf have united in powerful ways.
Read along to learn how Dr. Pugliese has played a key role in advancing the school’s mission and expanding opportunities for students. Among his many contributions are the development of partnerships with the TGR Foundation (formerly the Tiger Woods Foundation) and the Cobbs Creek Foundation— initiatives that continue to shape the student experience in meaningful ways. We sat down with him to reflect on his commitment to B&P and the impact of these collaborations.
Q: Tell us about your relationship with B&P.
I returned to B&P in 2020 as an assistant coach for the golf team and joined the staff full-time in August 2023. I taught U.S. History, American Government, and AP Psychology. My academic background is in history—I hold a master’s degree in it— and while I don’t have formal training in psychology, my 2018 doctoral dissertation focused on relationships and well-being, which really influenced how I approached teaching that subject.
Before coming back to B&P, I spent my career in the Upper Darby School District.
I was fortunate to have a fulfilling journey there—as a teacher, building administrator, and eventually Director of Pupil Services. Returning to Bonner & Prendie, where it all started for me, was incredibly meaningful.
I still coach golf alongside Jack Glacken, who actually coached me in basketball back in sixth grade. I also played golf for Bonner as a student, so continuing to support the program now feels like a full- circle moment.
Although I’m no longer on staff, I remain committed to giving back. That’s why
I choose to support B&P through the Annual Fund—to help ensure today’s students have the same opportunities I did.
Q: How did your connection with the TGR Foundation and Cobbs Creek Foundation begin?
I grew up playing golf at Cobbs Creek and later played at Bonner. Cobbs Creek is deeply personal for me—my grandmother lived right around the corner. Learning
of the Foundation’s course restoration project and their plans to create an educational and community-revitalization component was the perfect intersection of my two passions: golf and education.
I contacted the Cobbs Creek Foundation and eventually joined their education committee. Around 2022, they announced a partnership with the Tiger Woods Foundation—now TGR Foundation—to build a STEM-focused Learning Lab in Philadelphia. From there, I became a liaison, helping to establish the relationship between B&P and the TGR Learning Lab.
Q: What does the TGR Learning Lab offer? The lab is designed around STEM instruction and college and career preparedness. While golf is part of the experience—they have a practice green and simulators as part of the Learning Lab— golf is not the main focus. The broader Cobbs Creek Campus will also have a short course, a full course and a driving range. The Learning Lab is a STEM learning lab, modeled after TGR’s program in Anaheim, California.
The lab offers:
- School field trips with hands-on STEM projects
- Teacher professional development
- Career exploration tools like “Find Your Grind”
- Independent programming students can sign up with their families
- Summer programs and scholarship opportunities
Q: How have you seen B&P students utilize the TGR Learning Lab?
In so many ways! Here are a few highlights:
Volunteer Events and Workshops:
B&P students had the opportunity to engage in meaningful volunteer and enrichment activities through partnerships with local organizations. In the spring, B&P hosted a Saturday event at Cobbs Creek featuring golf clinics, a nature walk, and a session on the life of Charlie Sifford, highlighting Cobbs Creek’s legacy of diversity and inclusion. In the fall, students brought mini-golf STEM projects to elementary schools in West Philadelphia through the Foundation. On campus, TGR conducted a scholarship application workshop for top-performing students and introduced the “Find Your Grind” career exploration platform during an American Government class, helping students identify their interests and begin shaping future career paths.
Science Sessions: TGR’s mobile instructors visited B&P science classes to lead 90-minute microbiology, epidemiology, and rocketry lessons.
The feedback from both teachers and students was incredibly positive.
In April, two classes of B&P students visited the Learning Lab. I continue to encourage the school community to take full advantage of what TGR offers. Now that the lab is fully operational, there’s tremendous potential to integrate their resources even more deeply into classroom learning.
Q: How did B&P get involved with the Paul George Foundation & Space Camp?
That connection came through Meredith Foote, Philadelphia’s TGR Learning Lab Executive Director. She’s a former principal at Overbrook Education Center and knows many of our students personally. Meredith introduced us to the Paul George Foundation’s Space Camp opportunity. Dr. John Cooke, President and Ms. Andrea Ciliberti, Principal identified high-performing students, and Melvin Cambi ‘27 was chosen. He completed the application, got accepted, and is very excited. It’s a great example of what’s possible when we stay connected and ready to act when opportunities present themselves
Q: Why do you think this partnership is so vital for B&P?
The TGR Foundation offers real-world exposure to STEM careers, scholarships, and enrichment opportunities—all at no cost to students. And the Learning Lab is right in our neighborhood, just a few miles from campus. They’ve been incredibly welcoming to B&P, thanks in large part to the leadership of Dr. Cooke and Ms. Ciliberti.
But this partnership is about more than academics. Cobbs Creek and TGR are part of a broader effort to revitalize a historic neighborhood. Our students are gaining access to transformative experiencesand becoming part of something much bigger—a 100-year vision for community, legacy, and equity.
Although I’m no longer on staff, I believe deeply in this work and want to continue supporting it however I can—as a donor and as someone who will always care about the future of Bonner & Prendie. It’s been incredibly rewarding to help build this connection, and I hope it continues to grow for years to come.
Chris Pugliese’s journey has come full circle—back to Bonner & Prendie, where his passions for education, community, and golf have united in powerful ways.
Read along to learn how Dr. Pugliese has played a key role in advancing the school’s mission and expanding opportunities for students. Among his many contributions are the development of partnerships with the TGR Foundation (formerly the Tiger Woods Foundation) and the Cobbs Creek Foundation— initiatives that continue to shape the student experience in meaningful ways. We sat down with him to reflect on his commitment to B&P and the impact of these collaborations.
Q: Tell us about your relationship with B&P.
I returned to B&P in 2020 as an assistant coach for the golf team and joined the staff full-time in August 2023. I taught U.S. History, American Government, and AP Psychology. My academic background is in history—I hold a master’s degree in it— and while I don’t have formal training in psychology, my 2018 doctoral dissertation focused on relationships and well-being, which really influenced how I approached teaching that subject.
Before coming back to B&P, I spent my career in the Upper Darby School District.
I was fortunate to have a fulfilling journey there—as a teacher, building administrator, and eventually Director of Pupil Services. Returning to Bonner & Prendie, where it all started for me, was incredibly meaningful.
I still coach golf alongside Jack Glacken, who actually coached me in basketball back in sixth grade. I also played golf for Bonner as a student, so continuing to support the program now feels like a full- circle moment.
Although I’m no longer on staff, I remain committed to giving back. That’s why
I choose to support B&P through the Annual Fund—to help ensure today’s students have the same opportunities I did.
Q: How did your connection with the TGR Foundation and Cobbs Creek Foundation begin?
I grew up playing golf at Cobbs Creek and later played at Bonner. Cobbs Creek is deeply personal for me—my grandmother lived right around the corner. Learning
of the Foundation’s course restoration project and their plans to create an educational and community-revitalization component was the perfect intersection of my two passions: golf and education.
I contacted the Cobbs Creek Foundation and eventually joined their education committee. Around 2022, they announced a partnership with the Tiger Woods Foundation—now TGR Foundation—to build a STEM-focused Learning Lab in Philadelphia. From there, I became a liaison, helping to establish the relationship between B&P and the TGR Learning Lab.
Q: What does the TGR Learning Lab offer? The lab is designed around STEM instruction and college and career preparedness. While golf is part of the experience—they have a practice green and simulators as part of the Learning Lab— golf is not the main focus. The broader Cobbs Creek Campus will also have a short course, a full course and a driving range. The Learning Lab is a STEM learning lab, modeled after TGR’s program in Anaheim, California.
The lab offers:
- School field trips with hands-on STEM projects
- Teacher professional development
- Career exploration tools like “Find Your Grind”
- Independent programming students can sign up with their families
- Summer programs and scholarship opportunities
Q: How have you seen B&P students utilize the TGR Learning Lab?
In so many ways! Here are a few highlights:
Volunteer Events and Workshops:
B&P students had the opportunity to engage in meaningful volunteer and enrichment activities through partnerships with local organizations. In the spring, B&P hosted a Saturday event at Cobbs Creek featuring golf clinics, a nature walk, and a session on the life of Charlie Sifford, highlighting Cobbs Creek’s legacy of diversity and inclusion. In the fall, students brought mini-golf STEM projects to elementary schools in West Philadelphia through the Foundation. On campus, TGR conducted a scholarship application workshop for top-performing students and introduced the “Find Your Grind” career exploration platform during an American Government class, helping students identify their interests and begin shaping future career paths.
Science Sessions: TGR’s mobile instructors visited B&P science classes to lead 90-minute microbiology, epidemiology, and rocketry lessons.
The feedback from both teachers and students was incredibly positive.
In April, two classes of B&P students visited the Learning Lab. I continue to encourage the school community to take full advantage of what TGR offers. Now that the lab is fully operational, there’s tremendous potential to integrate their resources even more deeply into classroom learning.
Q: How did B&P get involved with the Paul George Foundation & Space Camp?
That connection came through Meredith Foote, Philadelphia’s TGR Learning Lab Executive Director. She’s a former principal at Overbrook Education Center and knows many of our students personally. Meredith introduced us to the Paul George Foundation’s Space Camp opportunity. Dr. John Cooke, President and Ms. Andrea Ciliberti, Principal identified high-performing students, and Melvin Cambi ‘27 was chosen. He completed the application, got accepted, and is very excited. It’s a great example of what’s possible when we stay connected and ready to act when opportunities present themselves
Q: Why do you think this partnership is so vital for B&P?
The TGR Foundation offers real-world exposure to STEM careers, scholarships, and enrichment opportunities—all at no cost to students. And the Learning Lab is right in our neighborhood, just a few miles from campus. They’ve been incredibly welcoming to B&P, thanks in large part to the leadership of Dr. Cooke and Ms. Ciliberti.
But this partnership is about more than academics. Cobbs Creek and TGR are part of a broader effort to revitalize a historic neighborhood. Our students are gaining access to transformative experiencesand becoming part of something much bigger—a 100-year vision for community, legacy, and equity.
Although I’m no longer on staff, I believe deeply in this work and want to continue supporting it however I can—as a donor and as someone who will always care about the future of Bonner & Prendie. It’s been incredibly rewarding to help build this connection, and I hope it continues to grow for years to come.