Dr. Vann M. Lassiter

Dr. Vann M. Lassiter began his career as a business, marketing, computer, and global studies teacher in Edenton, North Carolina. His enthusiasm and dynamic teaching style were unique; combining music, movement, discussions, technology, and a focus on the use of data to drive instruction assisted in raising state assessment scores in the career and technical education department of his school. He also co-developed an exchange program with a school in Demark and founded the school’s first National Technical Honor Society for Career and Technical Education. Dr. Lassiter was selected as the 2010-2011 North Carolina AT&T Northeast Regional Teacher of the Year and the 2013 North Carolina Technology in Education Society Outstanding Leader Award.

After serving in the classroom, Dr. Lassiter was selected as the district Instructional Technology Coordinator and Educator-on-Loan with the Division of Digital Teaching and Learning at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. As technology coordinator, he supported schools in his district with the integration of technology aligned to standards and led research and implementation of a one-to-one computing program grant. As an Educator on Loan, he provided professional learning and support for students, teachers, and administrators throughout the state of North Carolina.

In 2015, he began his career in administration and served as the Director of Innovation and Technology for a school in Silver Spring, Maryland. In this role, he supported the implementation of a new standardized assessment, oversaw a department in spearheading the refinement of systems and processes, technology capital campaigns, professional learning, and served as a community partner liaison with universities, businesses, and non-profit organizations. He also developed the first Google Bootcamp for the school to support teachers in earning their certification. Dr. Lassiter joined DoDEA in 2018 and served as the Education Research Analyst for the DoDEA Europe Center for Instructional Leadership. He has been instrumental in the standardization of the school action planning process and supported other regional initiatives such as increasing access and equity to Advanced Placement courses and organizational initiatives such as the Learning Walkthrough and Focused Collaboration, using research and data to drive decisions and the delivery of professional learning. In November 2021, he joined Pacific South’s DSO as the Chief of Staff.

Dr. Lassiter graduated from North Carolina State University as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing Education (Business Management Minor) and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. He earned a Ph.D. in Occupational and Technical Studies from Old Dominion University and holds a graduate certificate in School Leadership. An educator, author, and conference speaker, he passionately believes that one person can make a difference in the world using their gifts. His motto, “Live in and on purpose,” fuels his love for continually learning and growing and inspiring others to do the same.