Mamadou

“My sister went to this school. She said the teachers were great, and I think they are, too.” Mamadou even recommended it to his cousin, who now also attends. Mamadou’s family is creating a New Visions family dynasty! His own favorite things about the school were community, friends, and faculty support. “Teachers helped me develop a deeper appreciation for the beauty and logic of mathematics. I loved solving problems, knowing that each equation brought me closer to understanding how the world works.” He also took a psychology course, learning what makes a human “human” and what influences decisions—the connection between what’s out there and what’s in the mind.

When he was twelve, Mamadou accompanied his sick father to Mali, where only French and Zarma were spoken. “I felt like an outsider, unable to express my thoughts or communicate. I felt trapped.” He persevered, practicing until he felt whole again.

When back in America, the situation reversed, and English became less instinctual. Instead of giving in to fear, Mamadou chose to rebuild, reclaiming his voice.

“My twomathteachers made me realizethat math isn’t justnumbers ona page—it’s thelanguage that explains the principles behind flight, trajectories, and engineering. Science classesalso expandedmy horizons. My fascination with the vastness ofspaceand flightdeepened during ouruniton rocks and the solar system.”

A look to the sky and what is possible are lofty ambitions and perhaps the genesis of aerospace engineering for Mamadou.

Mr. Lucki, my algebra teacher, has had the greatest impact in my life. He didn’t just teach equations—he taught me how to think critically and not give up when something felt difficult. Because of him, I started to enjoy math and gained the confidence to tackle challenges both in and out of the classroom.