Hello Family and Friends!
I am Michele Stewart, proud Founder and Heartbeat of Leadership Academy of Virginia.

When I earned my Master’s in Education thirteen years ago, I stepped into the classroom with passion, purpose, and the belief that education could unlock every student’s potential. And while I witnessed beautiful moments of growth and connection, I also came face-to-face with a system that wasn’t built for all children to thrive.

Despite my best efforts, I saw how the one-size-fits-all model left many students behind — not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well. I watched bright, curious minds pushed forward to the next grade without ever mastering essential skills from prior grades.

I was left heartbroken year after year because the educational structure I worked under did not allow the proper time, space, or resources to nurture every child’s unique gifts and prove they have the potential to succeed beyond what is on paper. What hurt the most was knowing these were powerful young minds — future innovators and leaders — yet they weren’t being seen or supported in the ways they truly needed and deserved.

That’s when I knew I couldn’t keep showing up and contributing to a system that no longer aligned with my values. I had to build something different — something better.

Leadership Academy of Virginia was born from that heartbreak and discontent.

Here, students are met with compassion, challenged with purpose, and empowered to take ownership of their learning. Every lesson, every decision, and every joyful moment at Leadership Academy is rooted in a promise I made many years ago:

To do my best to ensure every student I support is provided with a quality education and fair opportunity to succeed — in their own way, and at their own pace.