Darren Ramalho is the founder and head of school at Breakthrough Charter School, a diverse rural charter school in Perry County, Alabama, serving over 350 students from five counties. Under his leadership, the school has secured over $2 million in philanthropic funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for students.

In 2021, Darren was honored as a "30 Under 30 Changemaker" by the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. Before founding Breakthrough Charter School, he served as a 2014 Teach For America corps member, teaching high school history and English for six years in Perry County’s traditional public school system, where he also chaired the English department. Additionally, he spent five years as an adjunct instructor at Marion Military Institute, the nation’s oldest military junior college.

Darren's educational philosophy has been shaped by participating in prestigious programs like Teach For America’s Rural School Leadership Academy and the New School for Alabama’s School Founders Fellowship. He also serves on the board of directors for C.H.O.I.C.E., a nonprofit dedicated to fostering youth access to quality education, mentorship, and enrichment programs.

Darren holds a bachelor’s degree in English and political science from UCLA and a master’s degree in school leadership and organization from Teachers College, Columbia University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in K-12 education leadership and policy at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, with an expected completion date of May 2025.