CNUSD Educator Named AVID Finalist

From AVID Student to AVID Leader: Matthew Rodney’s AVID
Journey Comes Full Circle

Corona, CA - Congratulations to Matthew Rodney, AVID Co-Coordinator and Teacher on Special Assignment at Reagan Elementary, for being named a finalist for AVID’s inaugural Global Achievement Awards. This incredible recognition honors educators who embody the AVID mission by creating opportunity, fostering equity, and transforming student lives through dedication and heart.

Matthew working alongside a sixth-grade class as students reviewed lesson materials and applied AVID strategies—such as organized note-taking in spiral notebooks—to their REVEAL Math assignments. 

AVID’s Global Achievement Awards celebrate educators who go above and beyond to advance AVID’s vision of preparing all students for college, careers, and life. Finalists are selected from AVID schools around the world for their innovation, leadership, and unwavering commitment to student success. This inaugural recognition highlights the impact of educators who make learning accessible, rigorous, and meaningful for every child.

A Journey of Growth and Grit

Matthew’s story is one of resilience and inspiration. An AVID alumnus and proud graduate of alternative education, his journey began in a setting that valued second chances and personal growth. After finishing high school, Matthew took an alternative route by enrolling in a trade school program. It was AVID that first taught him how to organize his thinking, ask critical questions, and believe in his potential.

Those same AVID strategies became the foundation for his academic and professional success. Over the years, he has earned multiple college degrees, including a master’s from Northwestern University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California, focusing on instructional change.

 

 Matthew Presented to 23 AVID site teams, coordinators, and administrators across Riverside County on intentionally designing AVID for all learners. The session explored how AVID strategies and Special Education best practices intersect through UDL to ensure equity, rigor, and access from TK–6. Emphasized that AVID is not a program for a select few but a promise for every student, sharing practical strategies to expand opportunity for multilingual and diverse learners.

Once a student who received speech and learning supports, Matthew now uses his lived experience to encourage students who may not fit the traditional mold. He reminds them that their paths are powerful and their futures limitless.

Leading with Heart at Reagan Elementary

As an AVID Co-Coordinator and ESN (Extensive Support Needs) Teacher, Matthew leads Reagan Elementary’s efforts to make AVID strategies inclusive and accessible for all learners. He helps teachers embed WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) strategies throughout the school, ensuring that every student has the tools to succeed.

 

Matthew Co-authored and facilitated PD connecting SBG to our site plan goals and AVID strategies, supporting our school’s role as one of the district’s first AVID Elementary Schools.

Matthew has also connected AVID with the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department, blending creativity with inquiry-based learning. His innovative approach helps students express their understanding in multiple ways, allowing each child’s voice to shine.

A Full-Circle Moment

Matthew’s recognition as an AVID Global Achievement Award finalist is more than a professional honor—it’s a full-circle moment that captures the heart of what AVID stands for. From a student once learning how to take Cornell notes to an educator teaching others how to empower students with those same skills, Matthew’s story reminds us that success takes many forms.

His journey is proof that with determination, support, and belief in one’s potential, every student can discover their own path to greatness.