Meet Valerie Byars: Experienced Educator and College Consultant at Inspire Academic Coaching
My name is Valerie Adams Byars, and I am a passionate and highly effective educator with 20 years of high school teaching experience. As an army wife for 28 years, I worked in various educational settings, which deepened my commitment to service. I hold certifications as an academic skills coach, academic life coach, college essay coach, and am a professional member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), and a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling, and the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC). I am also certified in Anti-Boring Lab academic coaching and in the Wow College Essay Experience.
Academically, I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the College of Charleston and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Alabama. In 20I8, I completed training to become a college consultant. I regularly attend professional development conferences and tour numerous colleges to stay updated on the latest trends in education and college admissions. Having experienced the college admissions process with my own children, I understand the challenges it entails for both students and parents. This personal experience, combined with my professional expertise, allows me to provide effective personalized support throughout this journey.
In 2022, I founded Inspire Academic Coaching to expand access to affordable college advising and academic coaching. My goal is to empower students to achieve their academic potential, whether improving grades or finding the right college fit. I have a special interest in the science of learning, executive functioning skills, and ADHD, which informs my approach to academic and college admissions coaching.
Building Relationships and Mentoring Students for Success in College Admissions
My favorite aspect of my job throughout my career has been building relationships with and mentoring students. So many students find navigating their academic careers completely overwhelming. I work hard to establish relationships with my students, allowing them to do their best work. I excel at helping students break things down into manageable parts so they can perform at their highest levels while managing stress. Over the years, I have helped students with college applications, the college search process, writing skills, time management, organization skills, and study skills. I genuinely care about my students as whole people and not merely their academics. Partnering with parents to help students achieve their goals is another part of my job that I love! When working with me, parents know that I am working passionately on their child’s behalf to help them achieve their best outcomes. In addition to college consulting and academic coaching, I have taught a college success course as an adjunct professor at a local community college.
SAT/ACT Test Prep & Tutoring with Meghan Barrette
Meghan Barrette has been tutoring for over 10 years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) from Michigan State University in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, A Master’s Degree (M.A.) from Michigan State University in Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analysis, A Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security Studies, and a Master’s Degree (M.DIV.) in Biblical Counseling: Acute Stress and Trauma from Liberty University.
Her teaching experience includes tutoring in Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, MIchigan, North and South Carolina, for over 10 years. She also was a Teaching Assistant for both Precalculus and Trigonometry at Michigan State University, and a tutor in the Michigan State University Math Learning Center.
Meghan's approach is tailored to each student's unique learning style. I focus on building confidence, mastering test strategies, and reinforcing key concepts through interactive lessons. Whether you’re aiming for a specific score or just looking to improve, I provide personalized guidance to help you reach your goals.
In addition to my tutoring experience, I have developed various resources specific to tests preparation, including practice tests and study guides, to ensure my students are well-prepared. I believe that with the right support, every student can achieve their desired score and gain admission to their dream college. I offer virtual lessons as well as self-study options. Since the transition to the Digital SAT students that have worked with me have seen an average of 175 point increase after 6 weeks of prep. In addition, 92% of students see an increase in their scores after working with me.
Let’s work together to make your test prep experience both effective and enjoyable!
“As a teacher, I have always sought to help students take a step back and put things in perspective. When they are feeling overwhelmed, we examine the issue and break it down into manageable parts.”
— Valerie Byars
My Mission
At Inspire Academic Coaching we take a holistic approach to the college admission process. We believe that the earlier we start with the student the better the outcome. Our goal at Inspire is to help students “Catch Fire Rather Than Burn Out”.