Shayla Ivezzy

I'm a principal, innovator, and equity-driven leader who deeply believes in the power of schools to change lives. My career began in law, and I worked with youth through juvenile diversion programming, giving them access to better opportunities to change their outcomes. I've been a strong advocate for educational justice and opportunities for young people, and I transitioned my advocacy from the courtroom to the classroom. I've been formally in education since 2017, though I've been working with children all my life - over 10 years professionally. My why is very simple: I've seen what happens when students are overlooked, and I've also seen what happens when they're truly seen, and the difference is everything. My day looks like making every decision count, so that students have access to a high-quality education that they can be proud of, that their families can be proud of, and that can set them on a path of success. I'm also a first-generation everything - a first-generation college student, college graduate, and doctoral student. I'm a trailblazer who shows what's possible, and I love to be that reflection to students that their circumstances, their background, their environment, their home situation does not define their destination. By committing to the things I commit to and continuing to break glass ceilings, I'm able to show young students what's possible beyond any barriers or limitations that they perceive for themselves.