Gerard Vargas is the co-founder of the Legacy Mastery Academy, an organization that strengthens student and adult Social and Emotional Learning skills by optimizing their beliefs, thinking patterns, and habits. He writes SEL Curriculum, leads SEL training for educators and administrators, and consults district leaders on effectively transforming school cultures and supporting educator mental health. Gerard is an adjunct clinical faculty member at Loyola Marymount University, teaching science methods and brain-based teaching at the graduate school of education. In 2009 he received the teacher of the year award by the prestigious Sigma Xi association.