Craig Bello

Background

About Craig Bello

I am a natural problem solver with the experience and adaptability to run toward any fire and help free the phoenix within. With a classical chemical engineering degree, I spent the first 7 years of my career solving environmental issues for international clients. I performed research, prepared emission inventories, secured air permits, and administered 100s of compliance requirements. In every instance, I implemented new data management technologies that increased accuracy, reduced effort, and boosted compliance. In the birth of my daughter and my desire to be her primary caregiver awoke the entrepreneur in me. While manning the home front, I co-founded a subchapter C healthcare corporation and grew my own personalized education business. In the early I was appointed to the Bellaire Recycling Committee, eventually moving from member to chairperson. Under my leadership, we accomplished many groundbreaking goals, most notably Bellaire's successful curbside recycling program. In 2008, I embarked on a new career in education. As the math department for a homeschool collaborative, I created curricula for the accelerated schedule. For the next 6 years, I brought STEM subjects alive at a local high school. To balance needs of students, parents, and administration, I employed innovative flipped and collaborative classroom styles, developed forward-looking curricula and grading systems, and designed performance communication tools. I also coached our inaugural “safe-cracking" teams from concept to performance at our first international competition in Israel. In April 2016, I joined Academic Independence whose mission is to bring high-quality academic tutoring and self-regulated learning skills to students in need. Since then, I have helped sharpen STEM skills in on-level and honors curricula in all high school math classes, chemistry, and physics. I also coordinate the company's high-stakes testing branch, helping college-bound students reach their goals.