Kody Melancon is an Associate Partner on the Diverse Leaders team.
He grew up in rural Louisiana, where his experience in public schools convinced him of the need for systemic change. He believes children deserve a culturally-relevant, first-rate education and has spent much of his career learning, training, and working to improve outcomes for students and families of color.
Before joining NewSchools, Kody was the director of the Pathways Fellowship, a teacher diversity program at ExpandED Schools in New York City. During his tenure, he doubled the number of fellows entering the city’s teaching workforce by increasing program supports and engineering creative solutions that reduced the barriers for afterschool workers to move into teaching roles.
Prior to that, Kody was a lead teacher at Success Academy Charter Schools, where he helped elementary and middle school students reach ambitious learning goals and outperform their peers in the city. He also has worked as an early childhood program evaluator and a data analyst for the NYC Department of Education.
Kody holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Morehouse College; a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Social Analysis from Teachers College, Columbia University; a Master of Science in Childhood Education and Special Education from Touro College; and a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy.
Outside of work, Kody enjoys exploring performing and visual arts, tracing his family history, and participating in adventurous fitness activities.