"For me, seeing that reality that a life can pretty much be determined by the third grade, it really made me care and understand so much more, " he says.

CNN: Unlikely teachers find purpose in the classroom

"Being involved in that and ... getting to understand the city made me realize that the impact I could make here was so much greater than at a boring real estate economic research firm back home, " the 23-year-old said.

CNN: New Orleans' new arrivals: Young, educated and infused with hope