Dilhani Uswatte

Dilhani Uswatte is Chief Academic Officer for i3Academy, a public charter that opened in 2020. She oversees all matters related to curriculum and instruction, including professional development and support of administration and teachers.

Dr. Uswatte is formerly principal of Rocky Ridge Elementary School in Hoover, Ala. She has been an educator for more than 20 years, working previously as a math and science teacher, department chair, and assistant principal. Under her leadership at Rocky Ridge, the school earned international STEM accreditation, becoming the first school in the district and 11th in the state to do so.

Passionate about supporting other educators, Dr. Uswatte has launched both statewide and national teacher mentoring programs. Her distinguished career includes being inducted into the Alabama Teacher Hall of Fame, receiving the National Milken Education Award, and being named the 2019 Alabama Education Leader of the Year and 2020 National Distinguished Principal. Dr. Uswatte is also co-director of the National Milken Mentor Mentee program and a board member for the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA).