Principal Delia I. Bello-Davila's leadership has helped students make dramatic academic improvements at Maria Sanchez Elementary School in Hartford. As the instructional leader of a low-income school in a community largely comprised of immigrants, Dr. Bello-Davila has instituted a system that fosters a safe learning environment, provides direct instruction and teaching techniques to enhance self-discipline and self-control, teaches students how to work well and get along with others, and helps them develop a strong sense of personal and social responsibility. She helped make Sanchez Elementary a model school for both its dual language program and its Early Reading Success program. Dr. Bello-Davila also motivates families to encourage their children to read by holding reading parties and authors' teas. As a result of these strategies, many of her non-native-English speakers have made significant gains on the Connecticut Mastery Test.
1984 Interamerican University, B.A.
