P L A P r o f i l e
Meet Hope Tolson Team Lead
Ms . Okiemute Pela
Family Life
It is my great honor to serve in the role of Principal of Hope Tolson Campus . Within my educational career , I have served scholars from kindergarten through middle school , ensuring they receive optimal educational , instructional and social emotional experiences . It is my sincerest hope to continue the momentum of excellence established at Hope Tolson . I look forward to working with teachers , scholars and families to ensure a beautiful culture of professional , academic and social support . Welcome to Hope !
I am the mother of one son , Uriah ( 12 ). I am the eldest sister of seven . We are a very close family who loves to create memories together . We are soccer and gymnastics enthusiasts and we keep faith at the forefront of our lives . Being a mother motivates me to push myself . It also allows me to connect with the needs and desires of the parents and families I serve .
opela @ phalenacademies . org
PLA ' s Core Value CHILDREN FIRST
" This Core Value should drive all decisions and motivate each person who enters a school building . With the mindset of putting children first , all values will follow and lead to greatness . " - Okiemute Pela
Education and Experience
Ms . Okiemute Pela began her experience in education at the age of seven with her three younger siblings in her parent ' s living room . She made her own report cards with a ruler and paper from her father ' s of ce . Little did she know , her foil red , blue , and gold star stickers were her rst rubric for her standard of academic achievement . Fast forward many rewarding years in education , Ms . Pela has had the opportunity to serve children and families in the District of Columbia for over 22 years . Of those years , Ms . Pela served as a kindergarten through middle school teacher as well as instructional coach , vice principal , and principal . Ms . Pela earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Howard University and a Master of Science in Education Administration from Trinity University . Her strengths lie in her ability to build positive school culture , instructional coaching , and balancing strong academic and social-emotional programs for students , families , and staff .