"The only thing I was wishing for was a school."

From First Day to Flourishing

Four years ago, a student walked into CALE unsure of what to expect. Today, she is thriving — growing in academic confidence, surrounded by close friends, serving as a member of the CALE Kindness Club, and even volunteering to read with our elementary students.

Recently, this student revisited a piece she wrote about her very first day at CALE. Her words capture what
it felt like to step into a place where she was truly seen.

A Student's Story

One day, my mom told me we were going to another tutoring place. (I have probably been to a
million tutoring places.) I had to have a lot of help because of my ADHD and dyslexia, but none
of these places did anything for me.

“From the looks of it, this was just another one of those places — but boy was I wrong!”

Crunch, crunch. I loved the sound of the fall leaves beneath my feet on our way to the door. When I went inside, a woman named Suzie gave me a huge hug. Her hugs must have been her superpower, and she was as sweet as candy. She was so good at overwhelming people with her love and joy. Her hugs were filled with compassion and care, and they made me feel loved and welcome.

“Hi love bug,” she greeted in one of the sweetest voices I had ever heard. I could see from the beginning that CALE was not like the other places because they cared about me and my needs. I could tell she was going to be like a second mother to me.”

Later in the day, I met another teacher (who was probably going to be my third mother)! She was very fancy, dressed with a big diamond necklaces and red lipstick. When she started to teach me, I could tell she knew what she was doing. I was learning that I was going to grow with this person named Miss Jill. Happiness gripped my heart like a magnet.

The only thing I was wishing for was a school. When Miss Jill finished tutoring me, she said,
“Let me show you the rest of our school.” “Ok,” I responded, excitement rushing through me. We
walked through the hallways, seeing classrooms and when we got back to the entrance, my
mom and dad were talking with Suzie. On the ride home, I wanted to ask if I could go to school
there, but I knew we couldn’t afford it. Then my mom interrupted my thoughts, “So, how’d you like it there?”

“I loved it, ” I responded with obvious joy.

“That’s wonderful, because we were thinking about sending you here,” she admitted.

“Huh? Really?” I choked, overjoyed.

“Yes, I’m so excited!” I told her. I wasn’t going to have to worry about those papers that I didn't
know how to do. I had a wonderful opportunity to grow and learn something for once and a
chance to make new friends.

“Wonderful,” she responded. That was the beginning of the end of my worries and the stress about school and the beginning of the best years of my life!