At ACLC, the community was welcoming, and I knew that whomever I choose to be would be accepted at ACLC. I never would have imagined that I would feel so comfortable being myself when I walked into campus as a shy 9th grader. Whether it was math, English, history, or an elective, facilitators always made the classroom a safe space for students. I was allowed to make mistakes, learn from them, without feeling the guilt of getting something wrong. The small personalized learning environment at ACLC greatly impacted the way I see myself and the world around me. My friends and teachers supported me when I thought I couldn’t do it. I learned that if I set my mind to something, I can achieve it.
During distance learning, responsibility played a huge role in my success. I realized that distance learning was the place where I could truly be independent and take control of my learning. When there was a challenging class or assignment I learned to work through it. When I needed help teachers were an email away and would always set up extra help if students needed it. ACLC taught me how to take responsibility for my learning, a skill that will help me in college. I learned that if I want something, I have to go get it because everything is not handed to me. The ACLC style of learning has prepared me for college, and I know that I will be more successful because of it.
While the ACLC community is small, it gives you a chance to get to know your classmates and teachers. One of the most remarkable things at ACLC is the willingness of the teachers to be there for you. Facilitators will help you be the best version of yourself, and to think for yourself, and their doors were always open for a quick chat or homework help. Both the facilitators and students are friendly, polite, and thoughtful. I found some close friends at ACLC, and because there weren’t 60 kids in a classroom at a time, students worked in tighter groups. Almost every class that I went to had one of my close friends in it, but also I met new people who helped me grow.
In a couple of my classes, I learned about growth and fixed mindsets. I realized that in certain situations I approach problems with a fixed mindset and an attitude that basically means I can’t do it. These classes were typically math classes, where I knew I wasn’t the smartest person in the room. Once I learned that I had a fixed mindset with certain topics, I began to be more aware of how I talked to myself. On the other hand, I realized that generally, I had more of a growth mindset when approaching situations or problems in classes that I enjoyed more. The classes that I had a fixed mindset in, were typically English, and History classes. Once I was able to recognize the growth and fixed mindsets, I learned more about how I react to challenges and setbacks, which is something I now pay attention to.
