Angeles Echols, a native Memphis, Tennessee educator and leader, has been imparting knowledge to students from all walks of life. Angeles started Educating Young Minds in her bedroom with a vision and $50.00. Today, it has blossomed into a multi-faceted and diverse organization that has touched the lives of more than 1,000 students in grades K-12 and their parents.
Educating Young Minds’ aim is to reach at-risk children and their families, channeling their energies toward achieving excellence. This is accomplished by linking high expectations with academic improvement through proven teaching and learning strategies and activities. Educating Young Minds provides a student/teacher ratio of 5:1 to better accommodate students (grades K-12) with different abilities and backgrounds.
FEMI Magazine got a chance to catch up with Angeles Echols to learn more about Educating Young Minds.
Tell us what made you launch your nonprofit EYM (Educating Young Minds).
I was torn between my desire to perform on Broadway, act in movies and sitcoms, and teach underserved, marginalized youth who face racial and educational inequities daily. I too faced these challenges growing up in the south. After seven years of tutoring in my one-room apartment; auditioning in Los Angeles; and teaching at Trinity Lutheran School, I prayed and asked God for guidance. After much prayer and soul searching, I eventually realized the path was chosen for me. I became an advocate for children and parents and an educator and mentor, empowering them academically and emotionally. I learned to access and provide the educational resources needed to address a child’s need holistically, with grace, determination, and prayer.
Read the Full Interview in our July/August Queen’s issue by clicking Here!
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