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The Principal Who Lifted Up One of the Largest Jail Systems Through Education

"I inspire educators to use their superpowers to keep students out of jail.”

- Hilderbrand Pelzer III

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Helping educators guide students through life's most challenging situations. 

Meet Hilderbrand Pelzer III

Award-winning Educator, Author of Unlocking Potential, and Speaker

With over three decades of experience in public education, Hilderbrand Pelzer III has earned a stellar reputation as an educator, inspirational speaker, and leader. He understands that teaching is a tough profession, and he has made it his mission to help educators overcome challenges in schools. His leadership as a principal has earned him numerous awards and honors. In 2008, Pelzer was chosen from among 66 of the largest urban school systems across the United States to receive the Queen Smith Award for Commitment to Urban Education from the Council of the Great City Schools, a national award which recognizes the contributions of urban educators. In 2023, he received the Living Legend Award from the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators for his work advancing opportunities for Philadelphia children, families, and communities. He also received the Moral and Courageous Exemplar Urban Educational Leadership Award from Cabrini University’s Center for Urban Education, Equity, and Improvement in 2019 and the prestigious Lindback Award for Distinguished Principal Leadership in 2014.

Organizing a School Inside a Prison

Dive into the heart of urban education, where the overlooked voices of incarcerated students echo with power and resilience. Unlocking Potential: Organizing a School Inside a Prison goes beyond the conventional, unraveling the struggles and triumphs within the neglected corners of our nation's public schools.

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Insightful and

Eye-Opening

Unlocking Potential

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Speaking

Hilderbrand Pelzer III is an engaging and sought-after speaker who has used multiple platforms all over the world to spread his words and spirit of hope. His perspective on the education of incarcerated youth and the inadequacy of their experiences with education is particularly profound and a highly sought-after topic by educators of all levels.

Online Keynote

Decoding Dyslexia Georgia

TED Talk

TEDx Deer Park

Podcast Interview

Empower Dyslexia

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AS FEATURED ON

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