BELLESINI ACADEMY APPOINTS ALIALI SILVERIO BELKUS AS HEAD OF SCHOOL
Mrs. Belkus brings deep ties to Lawrence and a commitment to diversity, equity, and Catholic education to the position.
Blessed Stephen Bellesini OSA Academy is honored to announce the appointment of Aliali Silverio Belkus as Head of School.
As a lifelong Lawrencian and daughter of Dominican immigrants, her story reflects the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of the families and students of the Bellesini community. With over two decades of experience in education, spanning both the public and private sectors, Belkus possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to lead Bellesini Academy. Through her work as a teacher, college counselor, community advocate, and most recently as Assistant Principal of Community and Belonging at Central Catholic High School, she has developed a deep understanding and a professional and passionate commitment to the development of students, assisting them in achieving academic success and navigating the school system. As a wife and mother of five, she has the life experience to connect with our families and students and the family support to keep her grounded.
Mrs. Belkus will join Bellesini Academy on June 23rd, and will assume the duties of acting Head of School, Doreen Keller.
The appointment of Belkus is the result of a thorough and insightful search led by Matt Brunell of Rooted Consulting under the guidance of Search Committee Chair Muddy Waters. The search committee spent hours reviewing materials and meeting with candidates to discern the best candidate to lead Bellesini Academy. Faculty, staff, students, and parents were also engaged to shape the needs of the position description and select the best candidate. The search committee concurred that Mrs. Belkus embodies Bellesini Academy’s pillars of Integrity, Perseverance, Faithfulness, and Humility throughout her career.
“We are thrilled to welcome Aliali to the Bellesini Academy community,” said Don Bulens, Bellesini Chair of Trustees. “She brings passion, drive and new perspectives to our school. Our students, faculty and staff will thrive under her leadership.”
“It is an honor to lead Bellesini Academy,” said Aliali Silverio Belkus. “The school’s commitment to offering a quality and robust educational experience reflects my innermost belief that all students can succeed when offered the right opportunities. My family and I are proof of the transformative power of education. I am excited to bring my energy, joy, and dedication to the hardworking students and families from my community.”
Mrs. Belkus has spent her educational career ensuring that systemically marginalized groups can access opportunities otherwise unavailable to them. As a classroom teacher, adjunct professor, college access consultant, and administrator, Mrs. Belkus has worked to ensure that all students, especially those from immigrant and first-generation families, are seen, supported, and empowered. Mrs. Belkus has taught at Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School, Lawrence High School, Northern Essex Community College, Shawsheen Technical High School, and Central Catholic. Mrs. Belkus also has extensive experience transforming her personal experience and insights as a Latina and Lawrencian into action through years of bilingual family workshops, deep partnerships with organizations like Groundwork Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley YMCA, and ongoing efforts to build bridges between schools and communities.
As a school leader, Mrs. Belkus will provide Bellesini Academy with a strong foundation in school improvement and organizational leadership. Mrs. Belkus has restructured underperforming academic programs through data analysis, supported faculty development, managed budgets, and presented to leadership boards and parent groups. Bellesini Academy is confident that Mrs. Belkus will provide strong operational and strategic leadership stewarding the broader institutional vision of the school. Her leadership style will support faculty, elevated student voices and empower families as true partners in education.
A native Lawrencian, Mrs. Belkus received her Bachelors of Arts from Sacred Heart University majoring in Media Studies, a Masters of Arts in English from University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership and Management from Fitchburg State University. Mrs. Belkus also holds certifications from Suffolk University in Restorative Justice practices, Cornell University in Diversity and Inclusion, as well as a PETALS, ELL certification from University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
About Blessed Stephen Bellesini OSA Academy: Bellesini Academy is a tuition free, independent, Catholic middle school dedicated to providing high quality education to young men and women from limited financial means living in Lawrence. The mission of the school is to provide an academically challenging and highly structured environment that develops the potential for each student to succeed in competitive secondary schools and colleges.
