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.
The conversation highlights Todd's leadership philosophy,y rooted in surrounding himself with the best people who genuinely care about kids, which has resulted in his schools collectively winning 72 state championships across various sports in the last 10 years. 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. John Arpane joins the discussion to emphasize how Todd's schools provide families with choice and opportunity, combining high-quality academics with robust athletic programs and career technical education that ensures students leave prepared for their next chapter in life.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.mvpstars.org/
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