About

Our mission is to empower all students to become thoughtful, well-educated, lifelong learners by helping education organizations create the conditions for exceptional teaching and learning.
Dr. Steve Underwood
Leadership Coach & Literacy Advisor
Dr. Steve Underwood is the founder of Veritas Educational Consulting, where he partners with leaders, educators, and organizations to create customized, evidence-based solutions that drive lasting improvement in teaching, learning, and leadership.
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With over two decades of experience in education, Steve specializes in leadership development, literacy, and systems change. He is a recognized expert in the Science of Reading and supports schools and education companies in implementing effective, research-backed literacy practices.
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Steve has led large-scale professional learning and consulting efforts at NWEA and Education Northwest, working with some of the nation’s largest school districts and state education agencies. Earlier in his career, he directed statewide school improvement initiatives in Idaho and served as a teacher and literacy coach.
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His personal journey—overcoming early struggles as a reader and growing up in poverty—fuels his passion and commitment to helping others succeed. He understands challenges firsthand and brings that empathy and insight into every coaching relationship.
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Steve holds a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Boise State University, with a focus on school improvement, as well as a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies from Biola University.
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Whether you’re a district leader, education executive, or school team, Dr. Underwood brings the knowledge, experience, and heart to help you lead with clarity and impact.
Veritas Educational Consulting
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Veritas Educational Consulting (VEC) is led by Dr. Steve Underwood, who partners with esteemed associates depending on the scope of each project, to deliver high-impact leadership coaching and professional learning for school systems and the external professional services organizations that support them.
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VEC specializes in empowering others to provide strategic leadership, build highly effective and collaborative teams, develop impactful measurement of professional learning, and wisely allocate resources. VEC also delivers professional learning on topics such as the science of reading, school improvement, data-informed decision-making, program evaluation, and meeting the diverse needs of all learners.
With proven success in leading consulting and professional learning projects in rural and urban settings across the world, VEC partners with anyone with the shared mission of improving teaching, learning, and leading so that students obtain the best education possible.
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VEC has a history of successful coaching, consulting, and professional services contracts at every level of the education system, and we are eager to support all leaders across the entire education sector who are driven to improve their work and their impact.
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Book time with us today for a free consultation to discuss your goals.