Vielka Scott-Marcus is the chief academic officer for Friendship Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., where she leads the academic vision and strategy for a network serving more than four thousand students, the majority from historically marginalized communities. In this role, Vielka oversees curriculum, instruction, assessment, and academic talent development to ensure rigorous, inclusive, and equitable learning experiences across all grade levels.

Since stepping into this position, Vielka has led the redesign and implementation of a vertically aligned, standards-based curriculum in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. Her leadership has contributed to measurable academic gains, including improved early literacy outcomes through the adoption of the Science of Reading practices and increased mathematics achievement across grade levels. She has also expanded blended learning models and implemented a tiered system of academic and socio-emotional supports to better meet the needs of all learners.

Previously, Vielka served in multiple leadership roles within District of Columbia Public Schools, including director of related services and chief of staff in the Office of Specialized Instruction. During this time, she played a critical role in strengthening special education compliance and instructional quality under the Blackman-Jones Consent Decree.

Vielka began her career as a speech-language pathologist, supporting early learners and students requiring intensive behavioral interventions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Alabama A&M University, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in special education from Long Island University Brooklyn, and an Executive Master’s in Leadership from Georgetown University. She is currently a participant in the GreenhouseE3 program, continuing her development as a systems-level education leader committed to equity and excellence.