DAVIDSON, N.C. – A teenager in Davidson helped raise more than $100,000 for a bilingual preschool a few years ago. Now, she is still giving back as an assistant teacher.

What You Need To Know

  • Amelia Wyatt wrote the children’s book "Ozzy and the Island" in 2017

  • The proceeds helped raise around $100,000 for a bilingual preschool in Davidson

  • Now Wyatt is working part time at the school as an assistant teacher

Amelia Wyatt says writing has always come naturally to her. When she was 13 years old, she had an idea. She wanted to write her first book.

It was called "Ozzy and the Island." It was a children’s book about a bird who is a foreigner to a new land. Wyatt based the book off her mother’s experience as an Hispanic immigrant coming to the U.S.

“A lot of them come as immigrants to a foreign land where they don’t speak the language,” Wyatt said. “They feel left out and I really wanted a book to describe how important inclusion was and empathy is.”

It took Wyatt two years to write the book. When it was done she used the proceeds from the book, more than $100,000, for La Escuelita, which is a bilingual preschool in Davidson.

“Money is everything for us," La Escuelita Director, Pat Shaw, said. “Our mission is to provide nearly free pre-school to prepare them for kindergarten.”

But Wyatt didn’t just say goodbye after her enormous donation. Five years later she’s still helping the children at the preschool.

Recently, she created new learning activities at the preschool known as dramatic play. She takes a real-life career, like working at an auto-shop, and helps the children learn through the activity.

“They learn vocabulary and social skills through this intrinsic desire to play that kids already have,” Wyatt said.

Her work also extends outside the classroom. She spent nearly 100 hours painting a mural at the school.

“Any kind of simulation at a young age is great, and especially seeing something like this,” Wyatt said as she pointed to the mural. “It really simulates the kids and gets them excited.”

There is no question, Wyatt has made a big impact at the school. But she says the children have also made an impact on her.

“I feel like I have almost learned more from them than they have from me,” Wyatt said. “They are just the most incredible kids and I wouldn't want to spend my time any other way.”

Wyatt plans to attend Duke University in the fall. Her major is undeclared, but she is considering studying political science or immigration reform.