2560 Soquel Ave. Suites 201, 204, 205 Santa Cruz, CA 95062 | 831-331-5611 | santacruzlearningcenter@gmail.com
Malika Bell, M.S.
Founder and Director, Teacher, and Academic Cheerleader
Email: santacruzlearningcenter@gmail.com
Hello! I'm Malika, the director of Santa Cruz Learning Center. I teach a variety of subjects including math, science, English, criminology, law, and psychology. In addition to teaching, I develop and oversee our center’s programs, such as our homeschool courses, summer camp and after-school club. I work closely with middle and high school students as an academic advocate, providing tutoring in math and science, and helping students of all ages develop essential executive function skills. I’m deeply committed to the success and well-being of the young people in our community.
My nontraditional educational and career journey has given me unique insights into the diverse pathways of learning. Academics didn’t come easily to me at first—I struggled with reading and writing throughout my childhood. Thanks to the patience and encouragement of my mentors and educators, I eventually found my ability to succeed academically and fell in love with learning. Now, as a mentor and educator myself, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to pay it forward to my community.
Before founding Santa Cruz Learning Center, I worked as the Director of STEM Diversity Programs at UC Santa Cruz. I’m a re-entry college student, having returned to school six years after graduating from Santa Cruz High in 1992. I transferred from Cabrillo College to UC Santa Cruz, where I earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Chemistry. My research focused on marine natural products and bioinorganic chemistry, particularly the photochemistry of nitric oxide.
I graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1992, a year early, thanks to the extra credits I earned during my sophomore year while traveling the world and conducting community service with The Global Youth Exchange, as well as by taking early morning classes during my final year. Before starting college, I had the opportunity to join the internship program at the Santa Cruz Women's Health Center, where I trained as a phlebotomist and clinical laboratory assistant. This experience was invaluable, not only providing me with essential skills and a deeper understanding of community health, but also allowing me to contribute to a program that was highly beneficial to the community of Santa Cruz. I continued to build on this foundation by working at Unilab and Santa Cruz Medical Clinic (before it became PAMF). In college, I further expanded my knowledge by performing home visits for medical exams on life insurance applicants. Additionally, my years working in the food service industry at India Joze Restaurant and Little Shanghai in Downtown Santa Cruz taught me the importance of hard work, teamwork, and customer service. When I transferred to UC Santa Cruz, I was awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which allowed me to fully concentrate on my studies, free from the financial pressures of working to fund my education.
I have been teaching and tutoring since my college days, and my passion for education is deeply rooted in my upbringing. I was raised by Patty Palazzo, a local artist and homeschooling consultant teacher for Alternative Family Education (AFE). In honor of her legacy, The Palazzo Studio at AFE was kindly dedicated as a memorial to her when she passed away in 2003.
In my free time, I love spending time with my inspiring community of friends and family in my hometown of Santa Cruz. I’m blessed with a strong and dependable husband, Nate Bell, and two loving and resilient daughters, Leilani and Ruby.
Founder and Director, Teacher, and Academic Cheerleader
Email: santacruzlearningcenter@gmail.com
Hello! I'm Malika, the director of Santa Cruz Learning Center. I teach a variety of subjects including math, science, English, criminology, law, and psychology. In addition to teaching, I develop and oversee our center’s programs, such as our homeschool courses, summer camp and after-school club. I work closely with middle and high school students as an academic advocate, providing tutoring in math and science, and helping students of all ages develop essential executive function skills. I’m deeply committed to the success and well-being of the young people in our community.
My nontraditional educational and career journey has given me unique insights into the diverse pathways of learning. Academics didn’t come easily to me at first—I struggled with reading and writing throughout my childhood. Thanks to the patience and encouragement of my mentors and educators, I eventually found my ability to succeed academically and fell in love with learning. Now, as a mentor and educator myself, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to pay it forward to my community.
Before founding Santa Cruz Learning Center, I worked as the Director of STEM Diversity Programs at UC Santa Cruz. I’m a re-entry college student, having returned to school six years after graduating from Santa Cruz High in 1992. I transferred from Cabrillo College to UC Santa Cruz, where I earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Chemistry. My research focused on marine natural products and bioinorganic chemistry, particularly the photochemistry of nitric oxide.
I graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1992, a year early, thanks to the extra credits I earned during my sophomore year while traveling the world and conducting community service with The Global Youth Exchange, as well as by taking early morning classes during my final year. Before starting college, I had the opportunity to join the internship program at the Santa Cruz Women's Health Center, where I trained as a phlebotomist and clinical laboratory assistant. This experience was invaluable, not only providing me with essential skills and a deeper understanding of community health, but also allowing me to contribute to a program that was highly beneficial to the community of Santa Cruz. I continued to build on this foundation by working at Unilab and Santa Cruz Medical Clinic (before it became PAMF). In college, I further expanded my knowledge by performing home visits for medical exams on life insurance applicants. Additionally, my years working in the food service industry at India Joze Restaurant and Little Shanghai in Downtown Santa Cruz taught me the importance of hard work, teamwork, and customer service. When I transferred to UC Santa Cruz, I was awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which allowed me to fully concentrate on my studies, free from the financial pressures of working to fund my education.
I have been teaching and tutoring since my college days, and my passion for education is deeply rooted in my upbringing. I was raised by Patty Palazzo, a local artist and homeschooling consultant teacher for Alternative Family Education (AFE). In honor of her legacy, The Palazzo Studio at AFE was kindly dedicated as a memorial to her when she passed away in 2003.
In my free time, I love spending time with my inspiring community of friends and family in my hometown of Santa Cruz. I’m blessed with a strong and dependable husband, Nate Bell, and two loving and resilient daughters, Leilani and Ruby.