Project Description
Codi Van Duzee, Fellow
Boles Junior High
Arlington, TX
Codi Van Duzee currently serves as principal of Boles Junior High in Arlington, TX. She has spent her 21 year career as a champion for kids with individual learning needs and continually seeks innovative ways to improve outcomes for all students. She started out as a special education teacher before taking on campus leadership roles including Instructional Consultation and Teams Manager, Instructional Data Specialist, and SCE Teacher Support Interventionist. Codi earned her master's degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University in 2015, and was promoted from assistant principal to principal of Pearcy Elementary in 2016. With the steadfast desire to create the best learning opportunities for kids, she and her staff transformed the school to Pearcy STEM Academy, the first and only elementary STEM school in Arlington ISD. Her school was the 9th in Texas (19th nationally) to earn a national STEM certification from the National Institute of STEM Education. Throughout her 6 years there as principal, the Title 1 school consistently performed in the top 10%, earning multiple distinctions and recognition. Codi values the diverse experience and perspectives of those around her and is committed to developing leadership skills for herself and her team. She led a team through the 2 year Holdsworth Campus Leadership program, and is an adjunct professor for SMU to coach and mentor aspiring leaders. In her spare time, she loves traveling, camping with her husband and 4 sons, and singing Disney karaoke.
Kelly Hunt, Ally
Instructional Coach
Boles Junior High
Arlington, TX
Kelly Hunt has 19 years of educational experience at the junior high level as an English teacher, athletic coach, and instructional coach. Her passion for education was instilled by a family of educators, and a dedication for helping students and educators find their own pathway to success. As a teacher of the year, PBIS teacher of the year, AWARE nominee, and Kiwanis club special recognition award winner, she found that an educator’s success can be marked more by impact than awards. With the birth of her twins, she found a bigger mission in life. Her work with special education students, policies, and programs became a crucial commitment for her own child and others that lack a voice and advocate in their educational journey. Coming back full circle, Kelly found that all students and educators need a proponent ready to stand in their corner with solidarity and understanding, and she hopes she can lead others to find their inner warrior of education.