On this episode of Kids First, Keven Cohen welcomes Todd Helms, a retired Army colonel, passionate education leader, and founder of Mountain View Preparatory, who has helped launch seven charter schools across South Carolina. Todd shares his inspiring journey from recovering from a deployment injury while reading \"The Blind Side\" to accidentally writing a business plan that became Gray Military Academy. This postgrad prep school gave second chances to students who needed help getting academically eligible for college. With legendary coaches like Willie Jeffries, Jim Carlin, and Danny Ford on his advisory board, Todd's first school became a launching pad for what would grow into a network of high-performing charter schools, including Gray Collegiate, Oceanside Collegiate, Legion Collegiate, Atlantic Collegiate, and Mountain View Prep, with Marina Vista Prep currently in development. Todd credits his passion for education to his experience as a father of five, a grandfather of three, and a former school board member in Lexington District 2, emphasizing that it all began with a men's Bible study and a commitment to putting students first.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.mvpstars.org/
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