Our Team
Brian Vieira M.A.
Brian Vieira M.A.
With over three distinguished decades of creating evidenced-based, structured literacy curricula and training students and teachers from K-12, Mr. Vieira has become one of the nation's leading experts on the English spelling, writing, and reading system. He is the author of twenty-three books on English orthography, morphology, etymology, and dyslexia, which help parents and teachers equip students with the skills they need to spell, read, and write with confidence and excellence.
Mr. Vieira is the creator of T.A.G.— The Academic Gym at ScholarSkills. T.A.G. is a multisensory combination of phonics, fitness, and fun that helps all kids develop exceptional reading skills. T.A.G. is especially helpful for kids struggling with reading or diagnosed with dyslexia or A.D.H.D. The impact of T.A.G. on these students is profound, helping them win socially, emotionally, and academically. Kids gain the confidence, focus, and skills they need to learn and succeed, instilling a sense of hope and optimism in their journey.
Mr. Vieira is the originator of S.T.A.R.S. (Systematic Training in Analytical Reading Skills) and the creator of V.I.T.A.L. (Visual Interactive Tactile Auditory Language) ™ Therapy for Dyslexia. V.I.T.A.L. Therapy™️ combines Orton-Gillingham methodology with movement-based cognitive learning and intensive auditory training to help students prevent or overcome dyslexia.
Background
Brian Vieira's journey in education began at N.Y.C.'s prestigious Stuyvesant H.S. and continued at Emory University and Brooklyn College's Graduate Division, where he earned his master's degree. His educational background, combined with his passion for teaching reading and spelling skills to students of all ages, has shaped his distinguished career.
As an award-winning state-certified Master Teacher with over 35 years of academic experience, Mr. Vieira's commitment to teaching is unwavering. He taught American History in high school for 14 years, during which he was awarded 'Students' Choice Teacher of the Year' at Wingate H.S. in Brooklyn, N.Y. This recognition was a testament to his passionate commitment to helping underprivileged, inner-city youth excel. His students consistently scored far above the city and state norms on the N.Y.S. American History Regents Exams.
Mr. Vieira is currently the President of ScholarSkills Learning Center, which assists students, parents, and teachers in their quest for excellence. ScholarSkills offers direct tutoring to students, guidance counseling to parents, developmental curriculum to schools, and professional development workshops for teachers in English Language Arts, American History, and the implementation of civics education.
Mr. Vieira is the author of H.O.T.-DOCS (Higher Ordered Thinking Through Documents), which helps teachers and parent-educators teach students America's founding principles through its founding documents. He is also the author of the following multisensory English Language Arts curricula:
The Sentence-Smart Grammar Curriculum helps students analyze and construct simple and complex sentence structures
The Word-Parts for Word-Smarts Curriculum, which helps students learn vocabulary through morphology and etymology
The Sound and Say Oral Spelling Curriculum, which helps students master the phonemic and syllabic structures of English orthography
Mr. Vieira is also the founder and Executive Director of ScholarSkills for STARS. ScholarSkills for STARS is a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing parents, teachers, and students in low-income communities with the skills and resources they need so that every child can learn to read.
Russell Albanese
Albanese Organization, Inc.
Chairman Russell C. Albanese has more than 35 years of experience in real estate planning, design, development, and management. The Albanese Organization was co-founded by Mr. Albanese’s father, Anthony, and uncle, Vincent, nearly 70 years ago. Today, Mr. Albanese and Vincent’s son, Christopher lead the firm. Based in Garden City, Long Island, the firm is dedicated to creating exceptional living and working environments that offer enhanced value both today and over the long term. Corporate integrity and excellence in both development and community service are core principles that guide Mr. Albanese and his firm. Completing a broad spectrum of residential and commercial developments, AO has collaborated successfully with both private and public partners to create numerous innovative and transformative developments in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. For over 15 years, the firm has been recognized as one of the leading developers to advance sustainable building practices; its development of the nation’s first two green high-rise residential towers has garnered the firm international acclaim. The company’s depth of experience ranges from high-rise luxury residential and Class A commercial office development to mixed-use, transit-oriented suburban downtown revitalization, providing opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds and economic needs. “We seek development opportunities where our talents can be used to make a real contribution toward the betterment of the communities in which we build.” Mr. Albanese is an active member and serves on the boards of various industry and charitable organizations. He has also been a frequent speaker promoting environmentally responsible development and smart growth principles. Mr. Albanese holds a Bachelor of Science from Duke University.
Christopher L. Boney Sr.
Christopher L. Boney Sr is a public speaker, workshop facilitator and life coach. He has a B.S. degree in Business Management and Finance and has a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Ms. Myrnell Anglin
Ms. Anglin was a NYC teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 30 years. She worked with students of varying ages from Kindergarten to High School.
Ms. DeAnna Smallwood
M.S.Ed
DeAnna Smallwood is an educator, intervention specialist, workshop facilitator and consultant. She received a Bachelor of Professional Studies at Metropolitan College of New York and a Master of Science in education at Brooklyn College. She has taught for over 15 years in New York City public and private schools.
Ms. Smallwood’s efforts helped move schools out of corrective action to meet yearly testing goals. In addition, as an integral part of school Quality Review teams, her preparatory efforts and diligence helped ready schools for the Review. DeAnna Smallwood’s administrative professionalism allow for optimal levels of efficiency in and out of the classroom. She has a proven track record of success with students. Her commitment to bridging deficiency gaps has helped children gain positive self-esteem, confidence and soar academically. Ms. Smallwood shares intervention strategies with both teachers and parents that can be implemented immediately to gain results.
Ms. Smallwood has served on District 19s Community Education Council, Darlene’s Utopia Board of Directors, and Highland Park’s Community School PTA. She is CEO and founder of Quantum League.