ADVISORY BOARD
FOUNDER & CEO
As a veteran teacher of over 20 years, I have devoted the past 14 years to creating an educational environment that educates and empowers students. My focus has primarily been on school improvement and reform models, with a heavy emphasis on technology in Education and creating the next generation of schools. I hold an M.Ed. in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from the University of Virginia, a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Maryland, and a Standard Supervision Certification.
My extensive background in creating successful online learning environments stems from my charter, public, and homeschool work. Understanding how students learn best comes from my experiences as a tutor, classroom teacher, professional development provider, testing coordinator, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Some of my work involved developing a plan for a charter school to improve instruction. This involved restructuring grade levels based on student assessments and incorporating mixed-level classes. The new system enabled 85% of the students to show significant math and reading skills growth in the first year alone. I also led the design and implementation of a balanced literacy reading approach, setting a structured foundation for improved student literacy development and growth. This approach included modeling lessons and co-teaching newly implemented programs, reviewing lesson plans, leading grade-level meetings, assessing results, and working directly with Tier 2 at-risk students to improve their skills and level of engagement. I have also designed and delivered a 4-part professional development series called "Creating a Literacy Friendly Classroom," published a book, Education in America: School Improvement Series - Data and Its Impact on Reform, and recently been spotlighted in Cato Institute's September 16th's issue of the "Friday Feature."
LEGAL ADVISOR
Kenneth V. Farino, Jr. is a managing partner at Farino Law, PLLC, founded in 2017 and has law offices in Richmond, Virginia. He takes on general practice cases involving business law, trusts, estates, real estate law and foreclosures, debt collection, creditors’ rights, workers’ compensation, and general litigation.
Focusing on what is best for his clients, Mr. Farino provides zealous, tireless, and dedicated advocacy. He uses his skill in the general practice field and aggressively fights for the rights and liberties of his clients. He ensures his clients are informed about every step in their case and makes complex legal jargon clear, concise, and easily understandable.
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Mr. Farino obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He went on to study law and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, graduating cum laude. While in law school, he was the chief notes and comments editor of the Race and Social Justice Law Review and was also a member of the Society of Bar and Gavel.
With over six years of legal experience, Mr. Farino is admitted to practice in the state of Virginia and Florida. Actively engaging in the legal arena, he is a member of The Florida Bar and its Young Lawyers Section. He was selected to Rising Stars: 2021 - 2022
ACCREDITATION & QUALITY STANDARDS ADVISOR
Perliter Walters-Gilliam
Principal Consultant, NBBE Consulting & Founding Board Member, Poiema Movement
Perliter has experience serving as the Vice President of Accreditation and Associate Vice President of Quality Enhancement and Training at Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. She has used that experience to launch NBBE Consulting so that she can focus on international accreditation and higher education quality enhancement. She was also the QA Expert representative for the Commonwealth of Dominica at UNESCO 3rd World Higher Education Conference in Barcelona.
She is a professional with proven expertise in leading and guiding institutions, domestic and international, in the evaluation and maintenance of academic quality and institutional effectiveness. Perliter is a modern classroom-certified trainer who develops individualized content for programs and institutions to achieve targeted outcomes. Her work consists of consulting with institutions on various areas of need. Guiding accrediting agencies through recognition processes, and conducting extensive reviews of accreditation standards. She also leads organizations through exploring the formation of accrediting units and trains institutions and accreditation professionals on quality assurance and accreditation processes through developing QA and QE training programs.
Her specialties include Higher education accreditation compliance; organizational strategy; institutional development and growth; training; international education and quality assurance; federal regulations for accrediting agencies; and accreditation standards review.
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Kyle graduated from Kean University in 2015 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Accounting. He is currently studying and preparing for the CPA exam. Kyle has been a strong team player focusing on managing the firm and streamlining the business under the direct supervision of his father for more than ten years. In addition to his skill in tax preparation and knowledge of current tax law, he enjoys interacting with clients and strives to continue to grow the firm. He is an experienced Accountant with a history of working in the private accounting industry. Skilled in Excel, Word, Quickbooks, Accounting, Management, and Leadership.
HOMESCHOOL ADVISOR
Wanda has been serving Homeschoolers for 23 years. She is the Director of REACH, a very active homeschool group that averages 30-80 events per month. The activities and events are for students of all ages. REACH Homeschool events are for students in the VA, MD, and DC areas. REACH's goal is to provide educational, fun, and learning opportunities for Homeschooled students.
REACH offers classes, workshops, clubs, graduations, dances, music, drama, art, chess, field trips, group orders, contests, Honor Society, Beta clubs, Scholastic orders, Homeschool bowling league, Archery, IXL, Spelling Bee, Mythology Bee, Teen Club, K to 3rd-grade club, 5th and 8th-grade promotion ceremonies and High school graduation ceremonies. REACH also works with local organizations to help them expand their "reach" by supporting students' needs.
EDUCATIONAL ADVISOR
Georgette Willis
Georgette has been educating students for 21 years. She is the
currently teaching 5th grade for Stafford County Public Schools​​ and holds an MEd in Advanced Curriculum and Instruction.
Georgette was on the 1st series of VA TV Classroom. ( WHRO in Norfolk, Va., instructional TV programs for K-12 students who lack internet access) Recently, she has developed and published lessons for GO Open VA.
She is a liaison for the ASCE grant (a program to promote computer science in classrooms), has sat on statewide committees for SOL content (reading and math), and received grants for bringing innovative teaching into the classroom, all while mentoring new teachers. Her wealth of experience in the public sector allows for a broad perspective on current educational trends. This keeps RISE aware of recent concerns in public schools that can or will eventually affect our student population in subsequent years.