Head & heart: Retired engineer volunteers to teach Chattanooga adults math skills

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The math adds up on this week's Pay it Forward!

We surprised a retired engineer who now spends his spare time helping adults get an education with $500 with help from our partners at The McMahan Law Firm.

Ed Colucci thinks with his head and his heart.

"He's helped students achieve their high set, helping them with their math tutoring. he's just really committed," said Lori Kay who is the Office Manager Northside Neighborhood House where Colucci volunteers.

Lori Kay nominated Colucci for Pay it Forward, because she sees his work firsthand when Colucci volunteers at her workplace.

"He's helped students achieve their high set, helping them with their math tutoring. he's just really committed," said Kay.

Ed is a retired engineer who uses his spare time to teach math at Northside Neighborhood House.

The agency gives people north of the river in Chattanooga a hand up through education and assistance.

"He could be sitting back saying' hey I don't have to do anything, but he makes that choice to do something and help others," said Kay.

It's not just a numbers game for Colucci.

"He had a student who couldn't speak English very well, because she's from Vietnam. His wife is Vietnamese, so he pulled her in also to help with the student. And now, they're friends outside from here," said Kay.

"That's what really drives me. The responsibility we have to share our gifts. we all have gifts. mine is math," said Ed Colucci, a Pay it Forward recipient.

The equations can be pretty intimidating, but Colucci somehow makes it fun.

"We have some fun. I have a sense of humor," said Colucci.

Ed has been volunteering for about two years now, but it's not his first time in the classroom.

He gave lessons to undergrads while in graduate school at the University of Maryland.

"For me, its a very religious type thing. For others, its just 'hey, this is a good thing to do'," said Colucci.

Do you know someone who deserves $500 cash for helping others in need? Nominate them by clicking the link here!