Our Students, Staff, Volunteers and Board
The Achievement Academy is a Partnership Between Dedicated Students, Staff, Volunteers and our Board of Directors
Students
The number of students that we can serve is determined by our funding. We serve any student who does their homework and comes to school every day no matter what their reading level is upon entry. Our average student arrives with a seventh grade reading level. See student success stories.
Board
Our board of directors is made up of educators, business people, and other community members. In addition to helping guide our organization, each board member mentors one or more of our students.
Volunteers
Dedicated, trained, volunteer tutors make our work possible. Our average student requires 250 to 300 hours of direct instruction, plus nightly homework, to achieve the level of competency necessary to pass the GED.
Directors
Sandee Washington our Student Services and Clinical Director founded AAD and has 25 years of experience in counseling, crisis intervention and developing programs that work to empower people who are struggling against great odds.
Gayle Erdheim our Academic Director has 25 of teaching experience. She founded and was the principal of a charter school serving at-risk students. She has taught high-risk students in a number of alternative schools and community colleges.
Sandy Ogburn our Administrative Director has over 25 years of public service. Sandy served for 8 years on the Durham City Council. She developed the Duke Neigborhood Partnership which benefits the neighborhood surrounding Duke University and she serves on numerous boards whose focus is making Durham a good community for all her citizens.
