Celebrating a Transformative Journey:

A Student's Inspiring Growth

Many times, we witness an incredible transformation in our students as they progress through The Joy School. These transformations result from the team of teachers, students, and administrators dedicated to supporting each student on their journey to success. By teaming with parents, The Joy School empowers students to become who they truly are and succeed in school and life. The graduation ceremony speech below from our Dean of Student and Family Support, Kate Murphy, illustrates one of many success stories and the unique strategy created to make it happen.

Today, I want to share the remarkable journey of a student who embodies The Joy School's spirit. This student, who has been with us for eight years, joined our community two presidents ago! Starting as a mostly silent observer with a keen sense of fashion, it took years for this student to find her voice and step out of the shadows. However, she began to flourish with the unwavering love and support of teachers, family, tutors, and amazing friends.

Over the past couple of years, I have had the privilege of working one-on-one with this student. She was “stuck” in a zone of comfort and limited progress, and we thought tutoring pressure from the Dean might help. For years, her mom pleaded in conferences to "Push her. I know she has it in her." We would reply, "We're pushing. What do you want us to do? Torture her?" This sparked an idea—what if we did, just a little bit?

We changed our approach. Initially, our sessions were marked by long, silent minutes until the reflexive "I don't know" slowly transformed into a determined "Okay, okay, I can find out." We started with the bare minimum, employing unorthodox methods like pretending to sleep or exclaiming, "No, that's boring!" during writing assignments, which genuinely shocked the student. Because let's be clear, this student isn't boring, far from it. Provoked with humor and accountability, her potential began to bubble to the surface.

Being held to high expectations sometimes felt torturous. Belief can be like that. She had been playing it safe because trying her best meant being vulnerable. What if people discovered how interesting, witty, and capable she was? It's a fear many of us can relate to.

Yet, this student's potential was too bright to ignore. So, Team Lilly (the student's supportive network) pushed forward—gently but persistently. We showed belief in her so that she could believe in herself. And it worked! Today, she confidently calls my ideas boring, breathes life into her work without prompting, and comes to tutoring with her finished work and her planner meticulously filled out. She can work a flashcard better than anyone in the room.

This student writes beautifully, self-advocates constantly, wins debate MVP awards, and excels in pre-algebra skills. She is performing beyond our wildest dreams. Sometimes, we witness a transformation at The Joy School that reminds us why we are here. This student's journey has done just that.

To this remarkable student: You are brilliant and funny. You have a unique ability to see through superficiality and understand what truly matters in life—what is good. The world needs your perspective, your voice.

You may have made a huge "mistake" of showing us what you can do, but fear not; we will hold you to it!

I am so incredibly proud of you.

 

This article celebrates a student's transformation and achievements, highlighting the support, persistence, and belief that contributed to her growth and success.