Hilderbrand Pelzer III

With a career spanning over three decades, Hilderbrand Pelzer III began his journey in educational leadership as the youngest high school principal in Philadelphia in 2000. He has led five different schools and served in roles including assistant regional superintendent and associate superintendent for school performance for elementary II for the School District of Philadelphia. Pelzer's most significant accomplishment has been in the field of correctional education, specifically in one of the largest jail systems in the United States— the Philadelphia Prison System.

Pelzer introduced a leadership style marked by high expectations for all incarcerated youth. He utilized all available resources to overhaul the system’s entire school culture and demonstrated that incarcerated youth can learn, which he detailed in his book "Unlocking Potential: Organizing a School Inside a Prison." Pelzer shares his experiences and strategies in correctional education. His expertise extends to special education, social justice, and educational transformation within juvenile and adult correctional facilities. This has been recognized in the multiple awards he has received, including the Queen Smith Award for Commitment to Urban Education in 2008, the Living Legend Award in 2023, the Moral and Courageous Exemplar Urban Educational Leadership Award in 2019, and the Lindback Award for Distinguished Principal Leadership in 2014.

As a speaker, he has presented at national and international conferences on education and prison reform, including TEDx and the 2024 Ohio Literacy Academy, offering insights on educational leadership and reform. He continues to inspire audiences worldwide and contributes significantly to discussions on leadership, literacy, equity, opportunity, and juvenile justice. Pelzer is currently the Executive Director of the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) and continues to advocate for the educational needs of youth in correctional settings.