Sheila Holas, EdD
Dr. Sheila Holas is the Founder and Executive Director of Blue Ribbon Results Academy and a nationally recognized educational leader with more than 37 years of experience spanning preschool teaching, school leadership, and curriculum innovation. Beginning her career as a preschool teacher in a Title I school, she steadily advanced to roles as teacher specialist, assistant principal, and principal within Norfolk Public Schools. Her leadership in school improvement led to her campus being named a National Blue Ribbon School and to her recognition as one of the most outstanding principals in the United States. Driven by a passion for serving children with special needs and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, Dr. Holas ultimately founded her own preschool, where 95% of students enter kindergarten reading at or above a first-grade level. A visionary in brain-based education, Dr. Holas developed Teaching Preschoolers With the Brain in Mind, a neuroscience-informed, fully scripted curriculum approved by the Virginia Department of Education. She also authored Amazed! Children’s Ministry Curriculum, a Christ-centered resource designed to help children grow in faith using developmentally appropriate, brain-based strategies, and is developing a companion middle school curriculum titled Amazed! Who Do They Say I Am? Her work blends research, faith, and practical systems thinking—equipping educators with high-yield strategies that accelerate achievement, strengthen classroom engagement, and promote equity. In addition to leading her schools, she is creating college-level syllabi to train future educators in effective early childhood instruction grounded in how the brain learns best. Dr. Holas earned advanced degrees from Nova Southeastern University and University of Virginia, focusing on educational leadership and brain-based practices. She was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council and contributes to statewide efforts supporting early intervention and high-quality education. Beyond her professional work, she actively supports organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and leads children’s ministry at her church. An avid reader and nature enthusiast, Dr. Holas remains deeply committed to empowering teachers, inspiring children, and strengthening families through innovative, Kingdom-minded educational leadership.
• Doctorate in Educational Leadership
• Master's Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education
• Administration & Supervision Endorsement (PreK - 12)
• Founder & CEO, Blue Ribbon Results Academy
• Creator, Holas NeuroEducation TM Brain-Based Learning System
• Author of Teaching Preschoolers With the Brain in Mind (Virginia Department of Education-approved curriculum)
• Author of Amazed! Children's Ministry Curriculum
• Leader of a Virginia Quality (VQB5) Star-Rated ECCE Mixed Delivery Site
• Nova Southeastern University - EdD
• Old Dominion University - MSEd
• University of Virginia - Administration & Supervision Endorsement (Prek - 12)
• Nova Southeastern University - Minor Brain-based Education
• Old Dominion University - Recreational Therapy
• Terell Bell Award - One of Nine Principals select as Most Outstanding Educational Leadership
• Principal of a National Blue Ribbon School
• Title I Distinguished School Award
• Recognition for Excellence in Educational Leadership and School Improvement
• Acknowledged for advancing equitable outcomes for diverse learners
• Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council (VICC) for Eary Intervention Services
• Professional leadership associations
• Community and Faith-Based Leadership Networks
• Collabortive partnerships with churches and community organizations
• Development of faith-based educational resources through Amazed!
• Training and mentoring teachers serving high-need communities
• Support for families through parent education workshops and resources
• Advocacy for equitable access to high-quality early childhood education
• Leadership development initiatives for youth and young adults
What do you attribute your success to?
First and foremost, I attribute my success to my faith in God. I believe the vision for my work was given to me as a calling, not merely a career. Beyond that, success has come from disciplined effort, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. I work tirelessly because I am not simply building programs -- I am building legacy. I am deeply aware that the systems we create today will shape the lives of children and families for decades to come. I have also been blessed with mentors, colleagues, and family members who believed in the mission and supported the journey.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to know your purpose and do not allow others to define your value or limit your vision. Education shapes the future of society, and it needs leaders who are willing to do the hard work that others may not see. Invest deeply in your knowledge, develop your leadership skills, and pursue excellence consistently. Most importantly, think beyond immediate success -- think about the legacy you want to leave. The goal is not just to advance personally, but to create pathways for those who will come after you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the field of education is to drive with purpose. Know your calling and don’t let others define your value or limit your vision. Invest deeply in gaining knowledge, developing leadership skills, networking, and striving for excellence—consistently. Think beyond immediate success and focus on the legacy you want to leave by creating pathways for those who follow. Trust your instincts, pursue your goals with intention, and commit to excellence in everything you do.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges is ensuring that every child has access to high quality early childhood education, regardless of socioeconomic background or zip code. We also face workforce shortages and the need for stronger teacher preparation and support systems.
At the same time, this moment presents an extraordinary opportunity. Advances in neuroscience, technology, and instructional research allow us to understand how children learn more deeply than ever before. If we align policy, practice, and professional development with this knowledge, we can dramatically improve outcomes for children nationwide -- not just for today, but for generations.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both work and life are faith, integrity, excellence, service, perseverance, and legacy. Faith guides my purpose, and integrity ensures I do what’s right, even when it’s difficult. Excellence matters because the children and families we serve deserve our very best. Service reminds me that leadership is about contribution, not personal gain. Perseverance helps me stay committed when progress is slow, and legacy keeps me focused on building something meaningful that will endure and continue to uplift others long into the furture.