Abdullah Zaki, Principal, Kelly Miller Middle School

With close to 15 years of experience as an urban educator in the District of Columbia, Abdullah A. Zaki II began his career as a teacher at Roosevelt Senior High School. Throughout his career he has served as an Assistant Principal at Maya Angelou PCS, Ballou Senior High School and Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. Currently, he is the Principal of Kelly Miller Middle School which offers one of two Gifted and Talented programs in Ward 7. Under his leadership, truancy has dropped from 30% to 1% and suspensions have been reduced by over 50%; most importantly, over a three year period, Kelly Miller students’ standardized test scores have increased by more than 30% in math and by more than 15% in reading as measured by the DC Comprehensive Assessment System. Abdullah A. Zaki II believes that gains in education are the direct result of utilizing data to make informed decisions, providing quality professional development opportunities, celebrating the accomplishments of all members of the school family and establishing a culture of equity, excellence and expectations. In addition to maintaining the responsibilities of a school leader, Abdullah A. Zaki II also serves as a mentor principal for the Mary Jane Patterson Fellow Program and the New Leaders for New Schools Program.