Interrupt the School-to-Prison Pipeline with Literacy Leadership

Presented by Hilderbrand Pelzer III, Educator and Author
Moderated by Dr. Martaluz Rodriguez Pozo, Account Manager, Learning Ally

Sponsored by Learning Ally

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Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.

Unlock actionable leadership strategies that shift school cultures toward equity, early literacy success, and transformative outcomes for all students. In this powerful edLeader Panel, award-winning educator Hilderbrand Pelzer III draws on over three decades of experience as a school leader and author of Unlocking Potential, including organizing one of the largest correctional education programs in the U.S., to illustrate how educational systems can interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by strengthening literacy instruction and expectations for every learner.

Attendees will explore how systemic leadership decisions shaped by culture, expectations, and instructional priorities directly impact student trajectories, particularly for underserved learners. Through compelling real-world examples and research-aligned insights, Hilderbrand reframes the role of literacy not just as an academic milestone, but as a core lever for equity and opportunity.

Learning objectives include:

• Explore the correlation between early literacy difficulties, prolonged disengagement, and eventual involvement with the criminal justice system
• Identify leadership practices that foster high expectations and equitable instructional systems
• Learn strategies school leaders can implement to support teachers in delivering evidence-based literacy instruction
• Recognize structural barriers and opportunities to transform school culture toward inclusive success

You will gain the inspiration and actionable strategies needed to reshape your school culture. Equip yourself to support your most vulnerable populations, reduce dropout rates, and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive—not just survive. This edLeader Panel will be of interest to K-12 school leaders, district leaders, education technology leaders, and librarians.

About the Presenter

Hilderbrand Pelzer III is an award-winning educator, author, and national speaker with over 30 years of leadership in public education. A Philadelphia native and current Associate Superintendent, he has served as principal of five schools and led major school reform efforts focused on equity, early literacy, and juvenile justice. Hilderbrand created a pioneering education model for incarcerated youth in one of the nation’s largest jail systems, proving that academic success is possible—even behind bars.

He has spoken at TEDx, the Science of Reading Podcast, Dyslexia Training Institute, and state and national conferences, where he champions the power of literacy to transform lives. His work has earned honors including the Queen Smith Award for Urban Education and the Lindback Award for Principal Leadership. Hilderbrand is the author of Unlocking Potential and a consulting producer of the 2024 documentary Left Behind, which addresses dyslexia in public education.

About the Moderator

Dr. Martaluz “Marta” Rodriguez Pozo serves as the State Contract Manager for Florida at Learning Ally, where she ensures accessibility for students and provides critical support for educators. With over 30 years of experience, Marta holds a Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership and has worked as a teacher, school administrator, and national consultant specializing in school improvement and data review. She believes that while everyone impacts the world, educators create an impact felt for generations. Her educational philosophy is best captured by Plutarch: “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”

Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.

Join the Empowering Struggling Readers community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

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At Learning Ally, we believe literacy is a fundamental right. We partner with district leaders to address a critical truth: early literacy gaps lead to lifelong consequences, including the school-to-prison pipeline.

As a nonprofit dedicated to mission over margin, we empower educators to shift school culture from compliance to one that unlocks full potential. We support the whole child through evidence-based professional learning and accessible tools, such as our human-read Audiobook Solution, ensuring students with reading barriers like dyslexia have immediate access to grade-level content. By addressing reading struggles early, we help you dismantle structural barriers and equip every learner for independent success.

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