Tyrone Greenlee is one of 10 academic coaches working with AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students to close the achievement gap, particularly with minorities and future first-generation college students. For the last two years, Tyrone has mentored Asheville Middle School students one morning a week while he works full-time as the Director of Christians for a United Community and as an administrator at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church of Asheville.
Tyrone says it works out with his schedule because he volunteers at 8:30 in the morning, at the start of the school day. He learns about his student’s life and helps him with his reading skills. “The AVID program stresses shepherding them, getting to know both their academic and social issues,” Tyrone says.
Tyrone says there’s an element of joy in being an academic coach: “The young man I’m working with is wonderful—he’s 12 going on 30. There’s joy in being around that kind of spontaneous energy that children have and being a small part in helping that child reach his potential.”
A native of Asheville, Tyrone is also on the board of Children First and works with the youth in his church. “I have a heart for the struggles of young people, especially at the middle school age,” Tyrone says. “There are so many young people who don’t have the support they need and deserve to become successful.”
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