Twin Triumph | College-bound seniors discover tools for success in NEISD classroom
As a first-generation college grad, Addie Garcia-DuBravec knows for many, college isn’t always an easy option.
“Several of my students are first generation also, several are not, but even then, it can be a daunting process,” she said.
Garcia is the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) coordinator and elective teachers at Johnson High School.Previously, she was taught AP U.S. History on campus and has also worked at Reagan High School.
Now, as the AVID teacher, she hopes to make the college process a little bit easier.
“AVID is a college and career-readiness program that we offer in NEISD and we have it in all 7 high schools,” Garcia explained.
Twin sisters Cyerra and Cydnee Jones are two of Garcia’s first-generation AVID student.
“This class has prepared me a lot to really showcase my work ethic and I often underestimated myself. Knowing her, she knew my potential before I did,” Cyerra said.
“Being in AVID helped a lot because [Garcia] knew a lot, so any questions you had, she was always there to help,” Cydnee added.
Throughout their four years in the program, the sisters were inspired to challenge themselves by taking AP, honors and dual-credit classes with the support of AVID.
They also were involved in athletics as part of the high school softball team.
Garcia also guided them through the process of college and scholarship application process, preparation for entrance exams, aided them with advanced note-taking tools and even taught budgeting skills.
“It’s amazing to see how much they grow from 9th, 10th, 11, through 12th. I’m always super proud and I like to tell them I’m their AVID mom,” Garcia said proudly.
“Since I did have a good work ethic and she pushed me, that also granted me a lot of scholarship opportunities through some of the schools I applied to,” 17-year-old Cyerra said.
These seniors would soon discover that all the hard work had in fact paid off when college acceptance letters started pouring in.
“I got accepted into Texas Tech, Texas State, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Tarleton, Our Lady of the Lake, St. Mary’s… there’s a lot more,” Cyerra listed.
“Some of the places I got accepted to were Sam Houston, Texas State, UNT, Tarleton...” Cydnee added.Garcia said it’s always a great joy to see her students succeed.
“That’s one of the key facets of the program is to support those students to get them on that college-preparatory track. To keep them there and support them so that they can go on to get those college acceptance letters and scholarships,” she explained.
Garcia is a product of NEISD herself and said her goal as an educator is to set high expectations so students are not one, but ten steps ahead.
“I am first generation; I graduated from LEE High School. I think that’s one of the things that’s made me the most passionate about the AVID program and being the AVID coordinator,” she said.
Cyerra plans to attend Sam Houston State and pursue a career in counseling psychology.
Cydnee plans to attend and Texas Tech and pursue a career in forensic science.
The twins said, from their family to their teachers, they are thankful for the support they received along the way.
“Johnson for me, was a great place to make connection with friends and some of those friends are long-lasting,” Cydnee said.
“When I think of high school and what I’ll bring on with me is the friendships, the connections, and the opportunities I had that I was able to get in one building. That is very beneficial to me in the future,” Cyerra added.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college‐readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four‐year colleges.
Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle.
To learn more about the AVID program in North East ISD, click here: https://www.neisd.net/Page/923
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