AVID AT A GLANCE

Brandy Griswell - AVID Director, Grade 10 & 11 Elective Teacher 

GriswellB@odysseycharterschool.com

Brandy found her gifts in the ashes of failure.  She started college at 16 years old, but it was not the head start it should have been.   She struggled to find her place and how to use her gifts.  Her Bachelor’s degree was attained after a multitude of failures and 19 long years.  She also learned by watching each of her three daughters find their individual paths to success.  She discovered that with her unique experiences and heart to serve, that she could demystify success for all in college and the workforce in today. 

She began teaching with her Bachelor’s in Exceptional Student Education, but knowing the power of reading, she immediately sought her Master’s degree in literacy.  She has served children at elementary, middle, and high school grade levels. She bolstered students that were at, below and above grade level. She has impacted children from a wide array of backgrounds, ethnicities, financial statuses and levels of parental support. In spite of many factors that justified failure, her students found abundant success.  This success oftentimes spread to siblings and sometimes even parents, altering whole family trajectories for future generations.

Her work has helped thousands of students learn and practice skills that breed lifelong success for competition in a global society.  Teachers she partners with are energized by their student’s success and find more joy in the art of teaching and learning.   She uses her Educational Leadership certification to serve schools by shaping programs and whole school cultures that allow each student access and support in rigorous curriculums that build determination, self-discovery, and grit.

Lawrence Mazza  - Grade 6- 8 Elective Teacher

MazzaL@odysseycharterschool.com

Lawrence is thrilled to be a pioneer of Odyssey’s AVID program! With his degree in the English Language and Writing, his main passion lies in Literature. He hopes to ignite a love for reading and writing in his  AVID students, as well as anyone who is willing to listen. Join us on this journey through academia!

Tia Briskey - Grade 9 AVID Elective Teacher  

BriskeyT@odysseycharterschool.com

My name is Tia Briskey. I entered the teaching profession in 2009 and started teaching AVID in 2010 when my school piloted the AVID program at the elementary level. I am a native Floridian and graduated from the University of Central Florida. I enjoy learning new and innovative ways to help scholars love learning and transfer the skills they are learning into life outside of school. I am excited to expand my AVID experience into the middle and high school levels and to help scholars discover the path to their future and the keys to success.

David Wayne Hill – Grade 6 Elective Teacher

Hilld@odysseycharterschool.com

David Wayne found his passion after a set of failures. He went from a boarding Preparatory School to a public state school in Virginia. After struggling to find his place he failed out of school. It took a heart wrenching terminal illness of his sister and their conversation for him to find his mission.

Upon returning to his mission, he received a Bachelor’s in Education and followed that with a Master’s degree in Teaching and Collaboration. He has taught grades 3rd through middle school with focus in Math and Science over these 19 years.

David Wayne brings excitement to the classroom and is motivated to build relationships with his students. He also brings excitement and connection with his collection of nearly 200 hats that can be seen daily in the halls of Odyssey Jr. Sr. High School. He is looking forward to bring his unique brand of excitement and passion to the AVID program.

Holly Vannoy - Instructional Coach and AVID coordinator

Vannoyh@odysseycharterschool.com

Ms. Vannoy graduated from Vero Beach High School and went on to graduate from Indian River Community College  with an Associates of Arts degree in Education. Then on to Florida Atlantic University and graduating from there with a degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Vannoy has worked in education for 30 years. She has been a teacher in grades Pre-K through 8th grade. Ms. Vannoy has one son and one Royal Bahamian Potcake. Ms. Vannoy loves to spend time with both her son, Zachary and her Potcake, Jersey. She also loves to travel, go shopping and spend the day by the pool or at the beach reading!