Doctoral candidate Adaarema S. Kelly (EdD Educational Leadership and Administration) has been named the Principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School in Alexandria, VA.
She currently serves as Principal of Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, where she has led the school since 2022. Under her leadership, the school experienced notable academic growth, higher student engagement, and an improved school climate.
The Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) praised her appointment, stating in an announcement on their website, "Kelly is a transformative educational leader who leads from the heart, driven by a deep commitment to student success and lasting school improvement."
Ms. Kelly brings more than 25 years of K–12 education experience to this new leadership role. Before becoming principal at Tucker, Kelly served as the school’s assistant principal and intersession coordinator beginning in 2017. During that time, she played a pivotal role in designing and executing the school’s improvement plan. Her career also includes experience as a special education teacher and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) elective teacher.
In addition to her extensive experience across six school districts in the U.S. and internationally, Kelly has completed several elite leadership development programs. These include the National Aspiring Principals Academy (NAESP), the ACPS Superintendent’s Leadership Academy, and the New and Aspiring Leaders Program at Harvard University.
Kelly’s passion for education and proven record of school transformation exemplify the values of GSEHD’s Educational Leadership and Administration program. We look forward to the continued impact of her leadership at Jefferson-Houston and beyond.