Stephanie Hall-Furman

I attribute my success to resilience, service, and an enduring belief in the power of education. My career did not begin with a traditional academic success story. After failing out of college during my first year, I joined the United States Air Force. That experience unexpectedly introduced me to the field that would eventually become my life's work.

During my military service, I became a Military Training Instructor, and that role taught me that leadership is about far more than giving orders. I discovered the power of curriculum, instruction, mentorship, and helping someone progress from knowing very little to becoming confident and capable. That realization sparked a lifelong passion for education.

Every chapter of my career has continued to build on that foundation. From founding a pre-kindergarten program in Hawaii and teaching science in San Antonio, to becoming an assistant principal, founding San Antonio Preparatory, working as an instructional coach, and eventually founding Committed Sports Academy, each experience has taught me something different about students, educators, families, and communities. I have learned to turn setbacks into opportunities, remain committed to my purpose, and continue building when the path is uncertain.

Ultimately, I believe my success comes from being willing to serve, learn, adapt, and keep going. My experiences have strengthened my conviction that education can transform lives, and that conviction continues to drive everything I build.

One of the most influential people in my professional journey has been Justina Gonzalez, whom I consider one of my greatest champions and advocates. Our relationship began when she came to work with me at Ethic Prep, but it quickly became much more than a professional connection.

Justina believed deeply in my vision and consistently made sure other people knew about my work. She shared my accomplishments, promoted my programs, connected me with opportunities, and advocated for me in rooms I was not even in. Speaking engagements, introductions, and other opportunities often came because she was willing to tell people about who I was and the work I was doing.

Even though we no longer work together, she continues to champion me and my mission. Her example has shown me the power of having someone who sees your potential, believes in your vision, and is willing to open doors for you.

For me, mentorship is not simply about receiving advice. It is about having someone who understands the nuances of a profession and is willing to share the lessons that are rarely taught through formal training. That experience has shaped how I approach leadership and how I hope to support the next generation of educators and entrepreneurs.

The first thing I would tell young women entering education is to find someone who is seasoned in your field and learn as much as you can from that person. A seasoned professional can give you the tips, strategies, advice, and practical insight that you may not receive through formal education or professional development.

I love education to my core—it is my first love—but I also recognize that our field does not always do a strong enough job of training and developing people who are new to the profession. If you can find a woman who is willing to work alongside you and explain the things that the school may not teach you, the things communication training may not cover, or the lessons that you simply will not learn in a professional-development session, you will be much better prepared for success.

Find someone who can share the nuances of the profession with you. Learn from their successes and mistakes, ask questions, remain open to feedback, and take advantage of the wisdom of people who have already walked the path. Having the right mentor and advocate can make a tremendous difference in your career.

One of the greatest challenges I have encountered in education is building systems and institutions that truly meet the needs of students, educators, and families. My own career has not followed a straight line, and founding and leading schools has required resilience, persistence, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. I have learned that sometimes you have to recognize when one chapter has reached its conclusion and have the courage to build something new.

At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity to rethink how education is delivered. Student-athletes, for example, are often expected to balance demanding academic schedules with practices, travel, and competition. I founded Committed Sports Academy because I believe there is a better way. By integrating personalized academics and athletic development into the same school day, we can create an environment where students do not have to sacrifice academic growth for athletic development.

I also see significant opportunities to expand access beyond the walls of one school. Through the Committed Sports Foundation, Smart Teach Solutions, Smart Teach Education Services, and Built on the Court™, I can reach students through scholarships, school partnerships, mentorship, curriculum, coaching, and community programming. The challenge is making those opportunities sustainable through funding, strong partnerships, committed educators and coaches, and continued work to address inequities. I see those challenges as opportunities to build better systems and create more pathways for young people to discover what they are capable of becoming.

Our core values are service, excellence, character, and meliorism—the belief that we should leave the world better than we found it.

I want to be a person of good character and someone who serves others regardless of how I am treated. I have experienced situations where I was treated very poorly, but I have worked hard to heal and to make a conscious decision not to treat people the way they have treated me. Character means choosing who I want to be even when circumstances are difficult.

I also want to pursue excellence in everything I do and in everything I bring into a space. I cannot control other people, but I can control my own character, effort, and standards. Ultimately, I want my work and my life to make a meaningful difference. I want to serve others, pursue excellence, develop strong character, and leave the world better than I found it.