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From Scholar to Mentor: How One Opportunity Sparked a Lifelong Mission

When Tyler Louis steps into his middle school math classroom, he sees more than equations and homework—he sees future leaders. As a teacher and mentor, he dedicates himself to helping young people believe in themselves, set goals, and chase their dreams. That mission is deeply personal, rooted in his own journey as a Catholic Schools Foundation (CSF) Scholar.

“The doors CSF opened for me are the same doors I now help my students walk through,” Tyler shares.

Tyler’s connection to CSF began in 2013, when he was a middle school student. One opportunity in particular changed the course of his life: a pre-college program at Bentley University. At the time, it was just a summer glimpse of college life. Looking back, Tyler now sees it as the spark that guided him to earn his undergraduate degree at Bentley and land an internship at State Street—experiences that laid the foundation for his professional journey.

But the impact of CSF went beyond academics. Inspired by his own mentors, Tyler found himself speaking to younger students, sharing his story and encouraging them to keep striving. “Those moments have been some of the most rewarding in my life,” he reflects.

Education has always been at the heart of Tyler’s path. From St. Mary’s to St. Joseph Prep, Bentley University, and now Lesley University, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in education, each step has shaped his sense of purpose. He credits his high school principal, Thomas Nunan, as one of his most influential role models. “He brought energy and joy into every room,” Tyler recalls. “His example showed me the impact of passionate leadership.”

Today, Tyler is a teacher at Dexter Southfield and the founder of Big Brother Bonds, a mentorship and tutoring program for boys and young men. Through this program, he empowers students to build confidence, strengthen their academics, and develop the life skills they need to thrive.

“I want to be a consistent, positive figure in their lives, just as my teachers and mentors were for me,” Tyler says.

Tyler’s journey reflects the ripple effect of opportunity. What began with a scholarship has grown into a lifelong mission to mentor and uplift others proof that the impact of CSF extends far beyond a single student.

Want to help create more stories like Tyler?
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