FORGED CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH HER TEACHERS AND FRIENDS, OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVE GREAT SUCCESS
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I’m dyslexic, and so I never thrived at reading, but, when Mrs. Harris showed me audio books, they made me want to read. For the first time, I was actually invested in books and doing all of the readings that I needed to. She was able to give me the support I needed as a dyslexic student when I was a freshman, and she taught me how to ask for help when I needed it. I learned how to advocate for myself.
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A four year senior, Jackie utilized the supports provided at Winchendon to help overcome LD and flourish both academically and athletically.
- Jackie arrived as Winchendon as a friendly but not very academically-confident 9th grader. She had previously had a terrific experience at the Carroll School and had made good progress. But she still needed to build the skills, “muscles”, and habits that would allow her to be a more independent and confident learner. She became a very good student through her Winchendon experience and ultimately had a selection of acceptances at selective colleges as a senior.
- Through her ColLABs at Winchendon, Jackie was able to explore future careers early. After completing an internship at Heywood Hospital, she learned that, contrary to previous plans, she did not want to be a doctor. Then, in her senior year at TWS, she did an internship at an engineering company and found a new career interest. She is now majoring in construction management at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
- At Winchendon, Jackie was able to excel at her own pace when it came to athletics. She took advantage of the personalized coaching and high level competition. A three sport varsity athlete for four years (playing soccer, hockey, and softball), she has gone on to play college softball at Wentworth.
