MEET THE FOUNDERS

    THE SAVANT STORY​

    In 2011, Eva and Jeannette formed a working relationship that would later manifest into a genuine bond and the creation of Savant Prep, an up-and-coming charter school in San Bernardino, rooted in financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Throughout the years, they acquired the knowledge and confidence to establish a successful charter school. 

    The plan to begin the work was birthed in the winter of 2016 and they submitted their charter on November 13, 2017. On March 20, 2018, their petition was approved by the San Bernardino City Unified School District and Savant Prep opened its doors for the first year of operation on September 4, 2018. Savant, a name synonymous with scholar, intellectual, sage, etc., started the school year with transitional kindergarten to second grade.Every year the school will grow a grade level until it reaches sixth grade in 2022. It provides a distinctive educational opportunity for children that focuses on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. The school implemented the Never Too Young: Personal Finance for Young Learners curriculum, developed by The Council for Economic Education, to teach students skills such as credit, money management, budget, and philanthropy. Savant is dedicated to making sure that all students experience academic success and are prepared to become the future leaders of San Bernardino city. Savant would not have been possible without the support of the community. The ladies pay homage to all of the programs and local heroes who have paved the way for them to become successful leaders, and they will pay it forward though continued service to the children and families of the Inland Empire.

    EVA TILLMAN

    Principal and CoFounder of Savant Preparatory Academy of Business

    Eva Tillman is a credentialed teacher who has been teaching in San Bernardino since 2011. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Long Beach and obtained both a teaching credential and master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, San Bernardino. She is a founding member for Savant Preparatory Academy of Business and brings several years of educational experience and accomplishments. She has been recognized as Teacher of the Year from Students First, a Community Builder from Black Voice News, an NAACP Risig Star in Education, a Woman of Distinction by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and humbly honored for her “dedicated service in the education of youth” by New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and The San Bernardino Valley Chapter of The Links, Inc. Within Savant Prep’s first successful year, the team was also awarded with community service awards from the Lily of the Valley and the Eta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

    Eva has experience in quality lesson design, student engagement, analyzing student data and outcomes, improvement processes, and staff development and assessment. Since 2014, she has volunteered her time to tutoring students in her community after school and, as a result, has developed Savant Prep, a free, public charter school authorized by the San Bernardino City Unified School District in March of 2018 . Eva is determined to use her work in education to make a lasting impact on the lives of students and families so future generations may further the development of her beloved San Bernardino community.

    JEANNETTE BALCAZAR

    Chief Financial Officer/Director of Curriculum and Instruction

    Jeannette Balcazar obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from University of California, Riverside, and received both a teaching credential and a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. She completed another master’s degree in educational administration at California State University, San Bernardino. She is a founding member of the Savant Preparatory Academy of Business and has several years of experience in education. She is a credentialed teacher who has been teaching in San Bernardino since 2012.

    Jeannette is a strong advocate of hands-on, inquiry-based learning involving her students in a variety of community service, problem-solving, and technology-infused activities that provide them with opportunities to become an educated person in the twenty-first century. After Savant Prep’s first successful year, the team was awarded community service awards from the Lily of the Valley and the Eta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is committed to working extensively and effectively in her hometown community of San Bernardino to provide students with the tools to become successful scholars in the years to come.