From the great state of Georgia, the Miss America Teen finalists lead the way to Orlando with the confidence and pride of being a contestant. She is a true success story for dyslexics. In an age where teens navigate their lives through screens and algorithms, I witnessed something surprising that upends our assumptions about authentic connection and personal growth for Gen Z. As an educator and children’s book author, I’ve discovered that the most powerful catalyst for change lies not in the latest apps or AI tools, but in the age-old art of storytelling.
Overcoming dyslexia is like trying to read a map that keeps changing its layout of streets. This can be incredibly frustrating, and children can feel like they’re always one step behind. It’s not just about mixing up the letters or reading slowly. It affects every corner of young people’s lives. In elementary school, children may struggle with the dreaded reading session or feel embarrassed by not being able to finish a test in time, while their classmates seem to breeze through the test. yeah. Then along comes the teens. Oh, that’s when things can get really messy. Suddenly there’s a ton of required reading for every subject, timed essays seem impossible, and you don’t even feel like taking notes while your teacher rushes through a PowerPoint presentation. Add to that the social pressure of trying to appear “normal” while your brain is working overtime to decipher text messages from friends and captions on social media posts. Many teens develop incredibly creative workarounds, such as using voice notes in place of written messages or mastering oral communication, which others It’s like running a marathon that makes you look like you’re jogging casually. Most of these students are highly intelligent and creative thinkers. They just process information differently, and honestly, that’s their biggest challenge as well as their hidden superpower.
Journey to the Bejeweled Crown
The Journey to the Bejeweled Crown begins when I open the classroom door to find an African-American fourth-grade girl with a perfect Afro puff walking down the school hallway alongside an admissions officer. It started when I found the. There was a mixture of hope and hesitation in her eyes. And the mother was approaching the exit of the building. Her eyes seemed to ask a million questions in a split second without saying a word. It was then that I introduced myself to the Carrington family. How could Carrington end up inspiring what is now a life-changing movement, bringing awareness to mild learning disabilities, showing how to approach health, and practicing resilience with such grace? I guess he didn’t notice.
When vulnerabilities teach us lessons
Two years later, I went from being an elementary school teacher to a middle school teacher. It may sound scary, but it felt like an opportunity to learn and grow as an educator. What I didn’t realize was that my students would become my teachers. I listened and learned. That day was my first day as a 7th grade teacher. Carrington was sitting in a chair right in front of my desk, holding a cute pencil pouch, his legs crossed and an auspicious smile on his face. As a way to help my students understand my emphasis on the importance of relationships, I always begin my classes with a “check-in” to find out how students are arriving. From this particular day, I started sharing my own weak moments as a writer with my students. I shared all my messy first drafts, crossed out sentences, and countless revisions with them. As I interacted with my editor, I also shared with them how complex the writing process was. These shared experiences helped students understand that excellence is not about perfection, but about persistence. This transparency has created what I call the “first 5” phenomenon (just a way to make the first 5 minutes meaningful). During this five-minute period, which occurs at the beginning of each class, students share their story or summary of the day, either orally or in writing, without evaluation or grading. The rules were: Topics are of your choice, you have 30 seconds to share, your focus must include yourself, you can only speak from your own perspective, and you must use “I” statements. This leads to silly stories, hug sessions, sometimes tears, students asking (in private conversations) how they can help others, and sometimes complete silence from some students. did. Carrington chose silence when the topic became serious, especially when the subject matter was conversations in which students discussed anxiety or had and dealt with challenges related to school subjects or specific classes. It seems so.
dyslexia word concept
getty
From silence to strength
Even though Carrington is usually vocal about social justice issues, he often stayed for a minute after class to share his daily experiences with me one-on-one. I could tell she wanted me to understand what she wanted to share, but I wasn’t ready to share it with the whole class yet.
What emerged from these gentle conversations was an extraordinary desire to write her own book about living with dyslexia. It all started with a phone call from my mother during summer vacation. She told me that Carrington is very interested in writing her own stories and wants to make sure that children diagnosed with dyslexia know how to “decipher dyslexia.” informed me. Over the next four months, we will witness the transformational story of Carrington Manas, who later overcomes literacy difficulties, discovers self-confidence, and soars to new heights in the competitive arena, a children’s book, I helped write “Dyslexia Doesn’t Define Me.” Win crowns in local, state, and national competitions. Carrington didn’t just want to write a book, he wanted to make a difference.
Resilience brings impact
Carrington’s consistent impact of resilience is compelling. The following seminal events occurred:
Carrington has won the titles of Miss Cobb County, Miss Greater Atlanta Teen, Miss Georgia Teen 2024, and is currently a finalist for Miss America Teen 2025. Mr. Manus advocated at the Georgia State Capitol and helped pass early dyslexia testing for kindergarten through senior high school students (July 2021) Georgia Department of Education awarded $5.26 million in grants to support students with dyslexia Provided by Georgia Department of Education awards $1.5 million to dyslexia advocacy and improvement Manus establishes Carrington Cares nonprofit organization to support students with dyslexia Manus’ book signings in Carrington and beyond have inspired countless people to share their dyslexia stories.
Create space for teens to have a voice
Creating a space for teens to have a voice and be heard is one of the most important ways to help them overcome challenges. Having this space gives them an opportunity to process what they’ve been through, discuss issues, and be open to advice when asked. It’s a simple but profound gift. There is also a growing desire to protect the rights of heirs.
Creating a safe space for teens to speak out doesn’t take a lot of work, and it doesn’t require expensive programs or cutting-edge technology, but it does foster genuine connections and validate personal stories. It takes time. By nurturing relationships through this practice, adolescents can understand how this will help them grow into the people they want to become and, in return, be encouraged to participate in advocacy efforts. more likely to want it. It is certainly the beginning of building a resilient life.
How can I make sure my child feels heard at home?
Parents need to be intentional in helping their children develop their opinions in a safe, non-defensive, and respectful manner. I have developed a method of natural interaction between adults and youth to begin that process.
A parent’s formula for helping teens use their voices to rise up: Resilient interactions that support expressiveness.
Treat yourself with respect.
Listen and observe energy peaks and valleys – Read the room Pay attention to their subtle “ready to talk” signals – Become a body language detector Respect preferred times for deeper conversations – Teens Read your teenager’s body language Understand the flow of their daily patterns Make them feel good if possible – Micromanaging your teenager’s time never works ‘Golden time’ for connection Establish – Nothing can interfere with this conversation time (both parents and teens are aware of this set time) Establish words and phrases that are not used in conversations when speaking with or in front of parents It is allowed to use when to react aggressively when a parent initiates contact to discuss a problem – especially if your teen approaches you in a hostile manner, say it out loud. Practice your words beforehand (control your impulses) – lead by example
interact naturally
Cook together while discussing daily events Share music during car rides Do household projects as conversation starters Create moments of relaxation during daily activities Set the agenda and the day’s assigned chores. Walk the dog together while chatting. Fold the laundry or organize the room while you chat – volunteer to use that particular room for just a little while (don’t call this time a chore). Eating in a shared area without electronic devices (yes! This includes parents)
support growth
Let children lead problem-solving discussions Validate feelings without rushing to fixes Create space for trial and error Celebrate small victories and efforts Share age-appropriate personal growth stories Point out their strengths in the face of hardship Model resilience through your own experiences
express trust
Provide opportunities for good decision-making (take this opportunity to acknowledge two or three good things your child has done that you noticed); Show confidence in your child’s judgment (simply do the task for them); Let your child decide whether to Masu) Recognize your child’s maturity level in both small and large tasks.
Boost your mood in big and small ways
Celebrate small victories and brave attempts (put this on your to-do list this week – be conscious! Emphasize your child’s growth through challenges in academics and social situations. Help them notice, name, and develop their strengths by putting the plan in writing (e.g., for a child who may have social anxiety and has a presentation coming up)
1. Start by sharing ideas in small groups
2. Help you learn and practice using voice memos and voice input apps.
presentation
3. Create visual aids to support your talking points.
Share your observations of their resilience Point out moments when they were resilient Create positive reinforcement for their efforts Recognize their courage in difficult situations Recognize their steps towards independence – specifics you witnessed Express an interest in their world and values Learn their communication preferences Respect their emotional processes Recognize their unique challenges
6. Learn patience (warning! It’s hard!)
Give them time to process their emotions – (They’re not really just ignoring you!) Be available at any time without overstaying Give them space when they need it Be consistent in your presence Keep accepting progress at their own pace Trust the process of growth
The key is to carry out these steps organically through everyday moments, not through forced conversations or artificial scenarios. This approach helps you build authentic connections while building emotional resilience.
I’m looking forward to it
This story exemplifies what is possible when we move beyond traditional definitions of success and embrace the power of personal stories in building resilience. Learning how to see challenges as opportunities is a valuable lesson. My students have taught me that school is not just about academic achievement, but about developing voices that can change the world and change perspectives.
Let’s continue the conversation. How do you foster space for authentic expression at home or with the important teens in your life? How can you help advocate for dyslexia? Share your experiences and insights below Please share.
For more information about dyslexia, please visit www.dyslexiaaida.org. You will also find providers offering a variety of specialized services.
