Muriel Thomas Summers is first of all, a teacher. For fourteen years she taught elementary and middle school and served as a demonstration teacher for other educators in North Carolina and Maryland. Recognized in 2001 as Wake County's Principal of the Year, she has presented at national, state and local conferences and consults with schools across the United States.

Using Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Edwards Deming's Profound Knowledge as the foundation of their leadership model, Muriel and her staff have created the first leadership elementary school in the nation. Boasting students from over 58 countries, A. B. Combs is one of the most diverse elementary schools in North Carolina. Recognizing that each student possesses unique gifts and talents, and building on students' strengths rather than their weaknesses, has resulted in over 97% of the students performing at or above grade level on statewide assessments.

During her six year tenure at A. B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School, she has guided her school in receiving numerous awards including the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, the National Magnet School of Excellence, the North Carolina School of Excellence, and the North Carolina Governor's Entrepreneurial Award. Last fall, their school was recognized in Washington, D.C. as a National School of Character, one of ten schools across the United States, to receive this very prestigious award.