Thank you for helping us fundraise towards a brighter future for the students of Radcliffe Creek School!
Prior to joining the team at Radcliffe Creek School, I was a small business owner; I co-owned a personal training studio in downtown Chestertown, just a few miles from campus. During the ten years I worked as a personal trainer, I heard ongoing praise and success stories from clients and friends whose siblings, children, and grandchildren attended RCS. Their time spent at RCS was life-changing thanks to the school's method of customized strength-based learning and the development of positive belief about oneself.
Radcliffe Creek School’s holistic approach resonates with me as I reflect on my own challenges with learning and ADHD. I was never a disruptive student; I was "one of the smart kids" and "a pleasure to have in class." In the 1990's and early 2000's, there weren't many conversations about ADHD and neurodivergence, and especially not for women and girls. In retrospect, there are numerous instances that stand out as obvious diagnostic flags, but my parents were loving, patient, and compassionate and embraced my quirks while helping me focus on my strengths and manage my weaknesses and I am so grateful for feeling loved and confident. I seemed to breeze through most subjects in school, rarely needing to study but things took a turn when I arrived at college: I was suddenly constantly unprepared, overwhelmed, and struggling to do anything and everything. Thanks to many professors’ office hours, my volleyball coach, and various tutoring resources, I avoided failing out of school. By junior year, things weren't as difficult and in my senior year, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and began treatment--this was the missing piece, because I made Dean's List both semesters and felt like I could finally "do the things" again.
My time as a student taught me resilience and sparked my fascination with the human brain and I graduated with a degree in Art with a minor in Psychology. I continue to discover strengths, weaknesses, and various other traits as I work on personal growth and my experiences allow me to have a better understanding of and connection with my students.
Radcliffe Creek School changes children’s lives, and by participating in the Run for Radcliffe, you are helping make this possible. Whether a student has a learning difference such as dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, or a speech and language disorder, or would just simply benefit from an individualized environment, Radcliffe Creek School gives students the tools they need to succeed. To learn more about Radcliffe Creek School, please visit our website: www.radcliffecreekschool.org.
