Thursday, July 25, 2019

Remember your 8th grade teacher?

Amonte Green does. Kate Demory was his 8th grade pre-algebra teacher at Glenridge Middle School in Orlando, Florida, during the 2014-15 school year. Because he started late in kindergarten and was held back in 7th grade, he celebrated his 16th birthday in 8th grade. Soon after he left Demory's class, his mother died. He dropped out of high school in 11th grade to work full-time at fast food restaurants. He bounced around group homes; got in a fight, and was sent to jail. While in jail he kept in touch with Demory, and when released, he told her he didn't have any family. She and her husband Craig Russell, who is a coach at Glenridge, retrieved his belongings from a group home and let him move in with their family.


On June 30, Demory launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising money for Green's housing, his 16-week high school completion program, a bus pass and a phone. One person donated $500 and offered Green a landscaping job, where he now works. He loves his job. In August Green will move into his own place. He says, "I can finally say I have a stable place where I'll be staying, and it's a big relief. Miss Demory has always been a mom to me."

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