Malcolm is a middle school principal in New Orleans. He earned his Bachelor's degree from North Carolina A&T State University and is a 2017 alumnus of the Summer Principals Academy, where he earned his Master’s. Malcolm began his career in education as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Black Child Development Program, working in alternative schools in Greensboro, NC. He went on to join Teach For America, working in the Mississippi Delta for two years as a high school English teacher, before spending his final four years in the classroom as an English and social studies teacher at KIPP in New Orleans. After spending two years as an assistant principal, Malcolm was named principal of a middle school in New Orleans, a capacity in which he has served for the past four years. In addition to his work in schools, Malcolm serves as a board trustee and board advisor to two Haitian-American organizations, is a graduate of Relay’s National Principal Academy Fellowship, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
David Bellard, an AP English teacher at Chalmette High School in St. Bernard Parish, LA, presented his research paper, “Public Schools, Spirituality, and Leadership,” which evaluated how members of his public school community approached educational leadership through the lens of spirituality. Mr. Bellard was a Teachers College’s 2017 Summer Principals Academy NOLA member and participated in the Teachers College Spirituality Mind Body Institute’s Self-Awareness Training, which explores the role of mindfulness and spirituality for effective leadership.
Also earning kudos was the 2022-2023 St. Bernard Parish High School Teacher of the Year, David Bellard, recognized by the LaMissTenn District of Kiwanis International as its regional Teacher of the Year! In addition to his excellent work in the classroom, Bellard also serves as the school’s Posse Scholarship Coordinator. Over the last several years, his efforts have helped 24 CHS graduates receive over $5M in Posse Scholarships to attend prestigious universities nationwide, including Tulane, Notre Dame, Villanova, Bard, Case Western Reserve University, and Illinois Wesleyan University.
The LaMissTenn District of Kiwanis International comprises over 120 Kiwanis clubs within the geographic confines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Tennessee, and this recognition is truly a reflection of Bellard’s excellence in education and commitment to his students.
Brittney Lewis is a native of New Orleans and a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana. She completed her teacher preparation at the University of Holy Cross and has worked in various educational settings, including special education, Montessori, and intervention. As a classroom curator, she believes every student and educator should walk into the space feeling liberated to be their authentic self in all ways, always. Since completing her master's at Teacher’s College, Columbia University, through the Summer Principal’s Academy, she has served as Student Services Coordinator for a unique charter school in the New Orleans area.
Diana Pacheco is the Assistant Director of Elementary at The Village School in Houston, Texas. She began her career working in public and private institutions in Massachusetts with students with moderate to severe special needs. Diana has lived overseas for 12 years, teaching diverse learners from early childhood to lower elementary in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Taiwan. She has entered her 18th year in education this year, but it is her first in administration.
Originally from New York City, Diana attended the University of Buffalo. She earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology with a concentration in the implication of culture on education and a Masters in Education through Simmons College with licensure in Special Education. In 2021, she earned a Master of Education in Public School Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College. Diana is pursuing her doctorate in Innovation and Educational Leadership at Arizona State University.
Throughout her career, Diana has been an elementary and secondary teacher, Math Department Coordinator, ELA Liaison, and a cohort team leader who has led colleagues through multiple school accreditation processes, collaborated in the development of school improvement plans, and designed and implemented professional development. Building capacity in teachers and team building is a high priority for her as it leads to providing high-quality education for students. Much of what she does is filtered through creating spaces that aim for cultivating a sense of belonging and equity for each set of stakeholders she is tasked with leading.
In her free time, Diana loves to read, try new recipes, stay connected to those who restore her spirit, and explore new places.
Kelsey Bull is an equity-centered educator with experience in, and passion for, instructional leadership, social justice, curriculum design, culturally relevant practices, and fostering a community where all can succeed.
Currently serving as the Middle School Principal at the American International School of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, she believes in access to high-quality education for all. From teaching in an urban school in Knoxville, Tennessee, to becoming an educational leader in Ghana, Egypt, Taiwan, and now Saudi, she is passionate about supporting scholars to pursue their dreams and finding ways to empower her community members to be agents for positive change. She is a SPA Alum, 2020 Cohort, and is currently a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins University in Educational Leadership. This is her second summer serving as an instructional assistant for 4001, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to be back supporting tomorrow’s best school leaders.