Penguin
PROFILES
An expanding outlook Rich Henry was a young teacher in public schools when the subject of learning disabilities first gained broader awareness. He took a few classes to improve his teaching and
Annie Unger ’17 ORGANIZING FOR SUCCESS
ended up getting a master’s degree specializing in this field. When Rich came to Cushing in 1982, a study skills class and a class to promote reading skills already existed.
boss adopted. The ability to set herself up
which went through several names
for success was a key strategy Annie learned
before it became known as the
at Cushing Academy. “I didn’t realize until
Academic Support program. While
I was in the working world how much I
language-based challenges were
would use those skills,” she says.
some of the earliest difficulties to be widely recognized, Rich points out
The robust programs for students with
that Cushing’s Academic Support
learning differences attracted Annie to
teachers always helped students
Cushing. “That’s one of the reasons I went
with a wide range of skills.
that students with one learning challenge often have others. For example, a student with dyslexia may also have attention-deficit disorder.” Rich appreciated that Cushing was a school that sought to look beyond labels: “Cushing bought into the idea that every kid is different. All you can do is identify what a student does well and where they need support. Dr. Curry always called on us to focus not on a teacher-centered model, but rather on what would work best for students.” As the new department grew, Rich emphasized the importance of participating students also being wholly integrated into the school community. “We wanted to honor the college prep curriculum, while at the same time providing support,” Rich said. “And it was important for students to have time in their schedule for athletics or taking a photography class.” Similarly, Rich wanted Academic Support teachers to be a full part of campus
10
CUSHING TODAY
interior design firm, she
organized and suggested a system that her
Language Development department,
then,” Rich said. “But it’s clear
college job at a Nashville
textiles, and other materials could be better
head up a new initiative called the
in how people viewed things
started her first post-
immediately identified how client binders,
Soon Dr. Curry approached Rich to
“There was a lot of categorization
W
hen Annie Unger ’17
to Cushing — for the Academic Support program,” says Annie, who transferred in as a sophomore. Immediately she noticed that Cushing was different. Support is “built into the schedule, which was really nice,” she says. At her previous school academic support “was kind of like a study hall, but with them not really teaching me any skills. So when I went to Cushing, I was like: ‘Whoa. This is a night and day difference.’” Annie learned to make a daily to-do list and to color code her calendar, marking tests in one shade and project deadlines in another. She learned that people who have ADHD, as she does, often find learning easier when they are moving. Cushing’s Academic Support center has big bouncy balls to sit on and treadmills to walk on while working. “I never realized that I was always fidgeting. Maybe I just needed to move around,” she says. At Cushing, Annie learned to prioritize, plan, and juggle, which made all the difference when she faced
“
...everyone just wanted you to do well and become the best person you can be, and I truly believe that I have... And it’s because of Cushing.
”
— Annie Unger '17
academic coursework, social life, and sorority commitments at the University of Alabama. “I would have a class at 8:00 am and then two hours until my next one, so I was like, ‘All right: I’m going to work on this project before my other class,’” she remembers. “I got in the swing of things and really did very well in college.” Annie credits her transformative final three years of high school with her success in college and the workforce.“I think it was not just the academic support program, but Cushing as a whole,” she says. “It was such a family and everyone just wanted you to do well and become the best person you can be, and I truly believe that I have... And it’s because of Cushing.”
