Hilderbrand Pelzer III

Pelzer is a native of Philadelphia, where he was raised with strong values and a desire to excel. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Hampton University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Cheyney University. Later in his career, he received his superintendent’s letter of eligibility from Saint Joseph’s University and completed the Leadership for Large-Scale Improvement training program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Institute for School Leadership.

​

Throughout his career, Pelzer has been driven to improve students’ lives through quality education and meaningful mentorship. His passionate approach to being a change agent has earned him the respect and admiration from students and peers alike. Pelzer has served as principal of five different schools—a feat achieved by few educators. He has also participated in three major school-reform efforts and has delivered curricula to students outside traditional academic settings. He has directed educational programs in correctional facilities and has designed two high school models for expelled students. Among his accomplishments is the creation of a school model for serious high-risk youth offenders in Philadelphia’s correctional facilities. His work challenges long-held false assumptions about access to quality education for juveniles in adult correctional settings. He has also designed systems-level solutions to legal, logistical, and educational challenges in an adult correctional setting, demonstrating his ability to collaborate with a large, complex public-sector organization. His encounters with incarcerated youth are poignant and powerful, each narrative a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the boundless capacity for growth, even in the most adverse circumstances. Pelzer's unwavering advocacy for leadership, literacy, equity, opportunity, and juvenile justice reverberates far beyond the prison walls, inspiring all who encounter his story. 

​

Based on his track record of expanding opportunities for students experiencing highly challenging situations—particularly incarcerated youth, youth who have dropped out of school, struggling readers, and expelled students—he is actively sought-after as a speaker for educational and juvenile-justice professionals and community leaders.

 

Early in his career, Pelzer developed a passion for working with incarcerated youth. During his tenure as a physical education teacher at the Bensalem Youth Development Center, a secure state facility serving incarcerated male juveniles, Pelzer sought to understand why incarcerated youth were disconnected from their in-school learning. Some students could not spell their first or last name. They were mostly black boys, and they were alarmingly illiterate. As his experience and expertise grew, he decided that he had to not only enact change to help incarcerated youth but also inspire teachers who could make lasting changes in classrooms and schools.

 

Throughout his career, Pelzer has drawn on his strong educational foundation to build an extensive resume as an educator and school leader. He is currently serving as the associate superintendent for school performance for elementary II for the School District of Philadelphia and has worked as an assistant superintendent for high schools in Philadelphia, an assistant regional superintendent for alternative education, a secondary and elementary principal, an assistant principal, and a physical education teacher. These roles have fueled his passion for bringing quality education and mentorship to students experiencing the most challenging life situations. He has expertise in K–12 education, leadership, early literacy, and juvenile justice. Leveraging his unique experience working in correctional facilities, Pelzer is a national speaker who inspires educators across the country to build strong connections with students, thereby fostering environments where all children can thrive, especially in the most challenging circumstances. 

 

In his book, Unlocking Potential: Organizing a School Inside a Prison, Pelzer examines urban education from the perspective of underrepresentation in national discussions—that is, the perspective of incarcerated students. The book draws on his early professional experiences and nationally recognized public education work in Philadelphia’s correctional facilities—one of the largest jail systems in the United States. He describes the leadership strategies he used to cultivate a strong educational culture in Philadelphia’s correctional facilities. His insight into correctional education underscores the prominent role of education in all institutions responsible for the guidance of children. In addition, he has used multiple platforms globally to spread his message, including the United Kingdom. He has been featured at a wide range of venues, including TEDx, to share his perspectives on the value of education during incarceration and the factors contributing to juvenile crime and delinquency in public schools.