Learning to Self-Advocate: Katie's Story

Katie came to Swift School in May of 2015, arriving after six years in a public school setting where she often felt overwhelmed. The large classroom setting did not meet her needs, and she had not learned how to advocate for herself. 

Swift School helped transform her academic experience thanks to a positive vibe surrounding self-advocacy and asking questions. After a short time at Swift, she became an entirely different student. “Swift transformed my academic experience by showing me the importance of self-advocacy,” she said. “I learned that it is okay to ask questions when I am struggling.”

A typical Swift School student needs three years of remediation, and Katie noticed changes during her third year at Swift School. 

“In eighth grade, I was more confident and became more extroverted. I was no longer afraid to speak up when I needed help or if a certain method was not working for me or meeting my academic needs. I realized how much my teachers cared about me and how they believed me.”

A common theme in Swift School success stories is Mr. Michael Lytle, a science and social studies teacher. It is no surprise that Mr. Lytle, a favorite among current and former Swift students, helped Katie realize the importance of self-advocacy and taught his classes using multiple methods and strategies so that all of his students had the best chances to succeed. 

“Mr. Lytle used a Frayer Model to teach vocabulary,” Katie said. “I quickly realized it was not working for me, so I advocated for myself, and he found other methods to help me learn. Mr. Lytle made a significant positive impact on me as a person and student. I still use some of the strategies he taught me in college today. If something isn’t working for you and your learning, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask to be taught another way. Teachers have so many methods and strategies to help students succeed.”

The most beneficial approach to learning that Katie experienced at Swift was the Orton-Gillingham Approach. Every student enrolled at Swift School receives Orton-Gillingham instruction. 

“Something I admire about Swift School is how their teachers are certified to teach using the Orton-Gillingham Approach. The approach is beneficial, especially for students who have learning disabilities.”

-Katie E. 

Katie noted the numerous learning strategies from graphic organizers and different instructional tools helped her learn, but she also paid homage to her teachers, family, and friends. Those core groups pushed her to try her best, and she answered the challenge. 

Reading comprehension and processing information has always been a challenge for me, and I would not be where I am today if not for the teachers, family, and friends who constantly pushed me to be the best student that I could be.”

After Swift, Katie enrolled at The Howard School and graduated in 2019. She obtained her bachelor's in early childhood education with a concentration in special education from the College of Coastal Georgia in May 2023, and she followed in the footsteps of her Swift School teachers. Currently, she serves as a PE teacher for kindergarten through fifth grade students at two public elementary schools. For Katie, teaching is about making a difference in the lives of children. 

“I want to be able to make an impact and connect with my students” she said. “I have a learning disability, and I can use that as a talking point to connect with them. I am loving teaching PE. 

Although Katie is years removed from being a student at Swift School, she beautifully stated how much Swift means to her and why she returns to visit campus.

“I still go back and visit Swift because of how important the school is and how big of an impact the teachers made in my life. All of my teachers understood me and knew how to help me learn, grow, and achieve my goals. I would tell a current Swift School student that Swift is a welcoming and safe place. The teachers have so much faith in you and want to see you succeed and accomplish your goals.”

Did your child recently receive a dyslexia diagnosis? Are you interested in having your child experience instruction using the Orton-Gillingham Approach and learning from dedicated, caring faculty members? Email admissionassociate@theswiftschool.org or call (678) 205-4988.