Jacquie Bryant is a veteran educator and IVA's founding principal. I have been able to implement IVA's intellectual character framework systematically across every aspect of this small middle school in curriculum selection, hiring for teachers and staff, professional development, strategic planning with the board, and all aspects of our academic program grounded in IVA's mission and vision. IVA's mission and vision prioritize meaningful growth in intellectual character virtues in a thoughtful, challenging, and supportive environment. As a principal, I regard personal formation and character growth as a primary goal in education for both students and staff.

IVA's adult culture is marked by collaboration, inquiry, self-assessment and reflection. IVA has adopted 9 intellectual virtues and the language of virtues and intellectual character provides a deeply transformative culture of thinking. IVA's professional development framework supports deep reflection, collaboration, and ongoing thoughtful inquiry that nurtures teachers' intellectual character growth. Over the years, IVA has partnered with university-based researchers to train other teachers and leaders in virtue education. We find joy in hosting visiting educator teams to observe classes in session and experience a pedagogy seminar grounded in intellectual virtues education.

Ms. Bryant is currently enrolled in the University of Birmingham's Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues studying for a Masters in Character Education.