About Vanguard Educational Institute

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Samantha is a consultant of Vanguard Educational Institute, has her Master's Degree in Education and is National Board Certified. She has 14 years of teaching experience and is passionate about education. She has created and presented innovative professional development workshops at both the state and national levels on research-based best teaching practices, literacy, comprehension, science, and English-Second-Language instruction. She was awarded the Sam's Club Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award in 2004, the Joseph E. Downing Award for Teaching Excellence in 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the National Society of Leadership and Success Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011. Her goal is to teach educators how to utilize children's innate curiosity about the world around them to promote literacy and comprehension.

Susan is a consultant and CEO of Vanguard Educational Institute, has 35 years of experience in education and understands how to create a culture for dramatically improving student achievement. For ten years, Susan has provided research-based best practice professional development and technical assistance services for teachers, principals, parents and district leaders. For the last six years, she provided these services as a Reading First consultant with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Susan has traveled and lived throughout the United States. She is a strong proponent of high student achievement and believes that ALL schools have the capacity to grow in order to increase student achievement.

Sam is a Vanguard Educational Institute consultant, has 35 years experience in finance. He served 25 years as a community bank CEO and is currently President of SJ Styons Company, a small business consulting firm. He has taken a company public, served as consultant to incorporated towns, developed real estate and worked all over the United States. He is a strong proponent for a more financially literate population and believes that early exposure and understanding is the key.