Michelle K. Agard, M.A. Ed.
Michelle K. Agard, M.A. Ed., is an accomplished educational administrator, consultant, and founder and CEO of KB B.E.S.T Educational Services with 36 years dedicated to the field of education. Her journey officially began in 1989 after earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, though she often says her passion for teaching started long before then while teaching her dolls and teddy bears as a child. Originally entering college as a pre-med major to fulfill her mother’s wishes, Michelle ultimately followed her true calling and changed her major to education, later revealing the decision to her mother during her senior year. Her mother’s response, “You better be the best teacher you can be,” became the guiding principle that shaped her lifelong commitment to educational excellence and service.
Michelle earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2010 and has spent the last decade serving in educational leadership roles focused on policy, planning, and systemic improvement. Most recently, she served as Education Policy and Planning Manager for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, where she championed data-driven initiatives designed to strengthen educational outcomes and regional capacity building. A CSME Certified Educator currently pursuing her PhD in Education Policy and Leadership at Walden University, Michelle remains deeply passionate about ensuring education never becomes disconnected from the students it is meant to serve. Alongside her leadership work, she continues teaching and working directly with children through KB B.E.S.T Educational Services and recently accepted a fifth-grade literacy position in Melbourne.
As a dedicated advocate for literacy and equitable education systems, Michelle believes that “readers are leaders” and emphasizes teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking as interconnected skills rather than isolated disciplines. Her membership in the International Literacy Association reflects her commitment to advancing lifelong learning and educational equity. Looking ahead, Michelle’s vision is to make literacy come alive for students and individuals who struggle in that area, beginning at the elementary level and expanding her impact throughout Florida and the Caribbean. Through her work in classrooms, educational policy, and leadership development, she remains steadfast in her mission to create meaningful change and transform lives through education.
• CARICOM Skills Qualification Certificate-Educator -
Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs
• Medgar Evers College, CUNY - BA, Elementary Education and Teaching
• Andrews University - M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
• Long Island University - M.Ed.
• Patrick Daley Leadership Award
• Cum Laude
• International Literacy Association
• African Women Association of Trinidad and Tobago
• Pi Lambda Theta- International Honor Society for Professionals in Education
• ASCD- The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• Free reading programs in libraries for underserved scholars in Trinidad
• Christian Fellowship SDA Church
• Heal-a-ton Foundation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, purpose, and a lifelong commitment to education and service. Over the past 36 years as an educational administrator, certified educator, and founder and CEO of KB B.E.S.T Educational Services, I have remained dedicated to advancing equitable education systems and lifelong learning opportunities. My experiences in educational leadership, along with my involvement with the International Literacy Association and CARICOM educational initiatives, have strengthened my passion for creating meaningful impact. I also believe maintaining balance through creative outlets like singing, writing poetry, and enjoying peaceful walks on the beach has helped me stay grounded, inspired, and focused throughout my journey.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to stay aligned with purpose while building with discipline and consistency. I have learned that meaningful opportunities in educational leadership come when you are clear about your values, intentional about your growth, and willing to step into spaces where your voice can influence transformation.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering educational leadership to be certain this is truly the path they want to pursue. While the titles and recognition may seem appealing, this profession is about making a meaningful impact on students, teachers, and communities. Educational leadership requires integrity, purpose, and a genuine commitment to improving lives. It is challenging work, but if you lead with passion and a desire to create change, the impact you make will be far more important than any title or recognition.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, I see the greatest opportunities in educational leadership within areas such as youth development, curriculum innovation, social-emotional learning, teacher empowerment, and programmes that support identity, confidence, and character building in young people. I am especially drawn to initiatives that focus on holistic development and long-term impact for students and communities. My work as an Educational Consultant with the Heal-a-ton Foundation(2016-present), an Non-Profit Organization dedicated to eradicating the abuse of women and children in Trinidad and Tobago, is one of many ways I choose to seize the opportunities to shape my commitments to safeguarding, empowerment as a tool for healing and prevention of abuse in its plethora of forms.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me are integrity, service excellence, cultural identity, emotional intelligence, and empowerment. My role as an Education Committee Member with the African Women's Association of Trinidad and Tobago has given me an opportunity to remain committed to work that uplifts others, strengthens systems, and creates pathways for both educators and learners to thrive. At the heart of my work is a simple principle: Education should not only inform minds, but also transform lives. My mantra of "Educate Every Child. Empower the Caribbean" and by extension the world.
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Locations
KB B.E.S.T. Educational Services
Melbourne, FL 32901