Every high-performing scholar needs a fearless advocate, and Brilliance Akron's Principal Ivy Dodd will fight for her scholars every step of the way. From an early age, her mother taught her to value education.

"She always taught us that education would be our ticket to a new world. She always wanted her children to do community-based things, too. It's not about me; it's about becoming part of a community," Ms. Dodd says. She has earned her B.A. in Education and her M.A. in Organizational Leadership. Ms. Dodd is now pursuing a Ph.D.

Throughout her career in education, Ms. Dodd has excelled in raising students' academic achievement in Title I schools. She received Florida's prestigious High Impact Teachers Award in 2018. As Dean of Academics at a local elementary school, Ms. Dodd was integral in moving the school from an F to an A rating. How does she do it?

"There is nothing a child cannot do as long as they have the right tools," Dodd says. Because she is so dedicated to her scholars, she spends a lot of time celebrating their successes. She can often be found sharing photos, videos, and stories about how far scholars have come.