08/21/26
The Opportunity Trust Welcomes Three Education Leaders to the Innovative Schools Fellowship
The Opportunity Trust is proud to welcome Annabel Ames, Jazminique “Jaz” Holley, and Zully Jimenez as the newest cohort of the Innovative Schools Fellowship (ISF), a fellowship that invests in exceptional education leaders who are ready to deepen their practice and help shape the future of public education in St. Louis.
Selected through a rigorous national selection process that drew nearly 100 applications, the three Fellows bring proven experience in instructional leadership, school culture, teacher development, and driving strong outcomes for students. They enter ISF as accomplished education leaders, and with the curiosity, humility, and drive to continue learning, growing, and building alongside the St. Louis community.
Over the next two years, the Fellows will participate in targeted professional development, executive coaching, school-based residencies, and national learning experiences designed to deepen their leadership practice. They will also spend meaningful time learning from St. Louis educators and communities, building relationships and developing a deeper understanding of the strengths, aspirations, and needs of the students and families they will ultimately serve.
At The Opportunity Trust, we believe strong schools begin with strong leaders. Through ISF and our broader talent work, we are investing in the people who have the experience, vision, and commitment to create lasting impact for St. Louis students.
Meet the Fellows
Annabel Ames
Originally from the Metro Detroit area, Annabel Ames earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri before moving to Denver, Colorado, where she began her education career at Rocky Mountain Prep, one of Denver’s highest-performing charter networks.
During six years as a third-grade teacher, Annabel’s students achieved the highest ELA scores on state assessments in the network’s history. She later served as Assistant Principal of Instruction for Upper Elementary, where she helped lead a school turnaround effort that moved the school from a red rating to a high yellow rating within one year while driving significant gains in ELA and math proficiency.
Annabel’s experience spans instructional coaching, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) redesign, attendance systems, and family partnership, reflecting both strong instructional and operational leadership and a deep belief in what students are capable of achieving. She is passionate about ensuring every child has access to a rigorous, joyful, and safe educational experience and is excited to bring her experience back to Missouri as she continues that work in St. Louis.
Jazminique “Jaz” Holley
Jazminique “Jaz” Holley is an award-winning educational leader with more than a decade of experience serving students and families across urban communities. Throughout her career, she has served as a teacher, instructional coach, Department Chair, Dean of Instruction and Culture, Head of Academics, Head of School, and systems leader across traditional public, charter, and faith-based schools.
Most recently, as Head of Academics at St. Louis Catholic Academy, Jaz led K–5 academic systems that resulted in significant student growth, including an average 20-point increase on NWEA assessments across grades K–3. Her experience leading instructional systems, intervention cycles, family engagement, and staff development reflects the bold, student-centered leadership at the heart of the Innovative Schools Fellowship.
A proud graduate of Harris-Stowe State University, Jaz’s leadership has earned numerous honors, including Outstanding Instructional Leader by Missouri Learning Forward (2024–2025), the St. Louis American Salute to Young Leaders Award (2024), Highest Instructional Culture Index recognition from The Opportunity Trust (2024, 2025), selection to the Focus St. Louis Emerging Leaders Cohort (2022), and the Outstanding Alumni Leader Under 40 Award from Harris-Stowe State University.
Zully Jimenez
Zully Jimenez began her career teaching middle school math and science at Achievement First in Hartford, Connecticut. She later served as a Course Lead, supporting curriculum and leading professional development—an experience that sparked her passion for coaching educators and designing strong instructional systems that improve outcomes for students.
Most recently, Zully served as principal of Bartolomé de las Casas Elementary, an Acero Charter School in Chicago, where she led school turnaround efforts focused on strengthening instruction, using data to drive decisions, and building a strong school culture. During her leadership, the number of students ending the year at or above proficiency on the state assessment more than tripled.
Zully also brings expertise in special education, bilingual education, and community partnership to the ISF cohort. Her experiences have strengthened her belief that lasting school improvement starts with trust, strong relationships, and a willingness to keep learning, an approach she brings to St. Louis as she begins her Innovative Schools Fellowship.
Strong Schools Begin With Strong Leaders
Annabel, Jaz, and Zully arrive in St. Louis with different experiences, perspectives, and leadership journeys, but they share a commitment to creating excellent educational opportunities for students.
Through ISF, they will build on what they already know, deepen their leadership practice, learn from excellent schools and leaders locally and nationally, and develop meaningful relationships across the St. Louis community.
Their selection reflects a broader commitment from The Opportunity Trust: identify exceptional education leaders, invest deeply in their continued development, and create the conditions for their leadership to have lasting impact for students.
We are excited to welcome Annabel, Jaz, and Zully to the Innovative Schools Fellowship, and to St. Louis’ community of education leaders working to expand what is possible for every student.