Success Stories

I was born to a single mother in poverty in Del Paso Heights across Grant High School I failed all my life in math and in school. I used to get into fights and be a “behavior problem” throughout classes.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically 75% likely to dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my math teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in math in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in school and earned an “A” in math.

Today I serve as the Director of a National Mentor Program. I recently founded Community House Activism (CHA), a Nonprofit Organization that's focused on using storytelling to advocate for positive change in marginalized communities. CHA is currently working closely with schools & community-based organizations to bring mentorship to low income areas.

In the picture, I am speaking at a National conference on mentoring.

I was born to parents from Sinaloa, Mexico. I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights across Grant High School I failed all my life in math , especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed in math.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math.

Today I attend UC Berkeley School of Law. I am also working in the Congressional Office of Doris Matsui. I aspire to become an immigration attorney and fight for the rights of Latinos who recently arrived to the U.S.

In the picture, I am working as an intern at a Congressional Office.

I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights across Grant High School. I failed all my life in math, especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed in math.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my math teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math and earned an “A” in math.

Today I serve as a medical assistant in Atlanta, GA.

In the picture, I am on the way to work at the hospital.

I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights across Grant High School. I failed all my life in math, especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my math teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math and earned an “A” in math.

Today I serve as the CEO of Underrated Academy for at risk youth in Atlanta, GA.

In the picture, I am getting ready for basketball practice.

I was born to parents from Jalisco, Mexico. I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights across Grant High School I failed all my life in math , especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed in math.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my math teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math and earned an “A” in math.

Today I am a graduate of UC Berkeley and am an advocate for immigrants.

In the picture, I am speaking at an event on human rights.

I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights to a single mother. I failed all my life in math, especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed in math.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my math teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math and earned an “A” in math.

Today I serve as the manager of a housing complex, a wife, and loving mother of 3 kids.

In the picture, I am celebrating with my 3 kids.

I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights to a single mother. I failed all my life in math, especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed in math.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my math teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math and earned an “A” in math.

Today I am a wife and mother of 3 kids.

In the picture, I am with the family.

I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights. I failed all my life in math, especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed in math.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my math teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math and earned an “A” in math.

Today I serve as a CPA accountant for a firm and am the mother of a beautiful daughter.

I was born in the city of Ciudad Juarez to parents from Mexico. I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights across Grant High School I failed all my life in math, especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math and earned an “A” in math.

Today I serve as the director of youth programs at a church.

In the picture, I am speaking at a national conference on “dropouts”.

I was born to parents from El Salvador. I was raised in low income household in Del Paso Heights across Grant High School I failed all my life in math, especially in algebra. I thought I could never succeed in school.

As a 9th grader who had failed algebra, I was statistically at risk of becoming a dropout. Math was impossible for me, until the 9th grade when I had Dr. Raja as my teacher.

I learned and suddenly became an “A” student and proficient in Dr. Raja’s 9th grade Algebra class. I spoke at national conferences about solving the achievement gap and sharing my success in school with hundreds of people. This was the first time I had succeeded in math.

Today I serve as the manager at Thunder Valley Casino, a husband and proud father of 3 kids.

In the picture, I am speaking at a national conference on “dropouts”.