Building a Culture of Inclusivity

My name is Mariah, and my journey as a Student Success Architect began with a life-altering challenge. After surviving a massive hemorrhagic stroke at age 12, I had to relearn how to walk, talk, and even swallow. Today, I navigate the world with a disability and a mobility aid. 

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That experience didn't just give me a story; it gave me a unique blueprint for radical inclusion. 

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The Mission: Equipping Every Student in Upstanding Leadership

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I know what it feels like to be "different" in a world that prioritizes "normal". I use my story to tackle bullying at its roots by teaching students that our "cracks" and our differences are the most important parts of our design. 

 

Through my assemblies and background in teaching, I provide students with the tools to:

 

• Redefine "Normal": Moving from judgement to radical acceptances of disabilities and differences.

• The Upstander Blueprint: Developing the courage to stand up for peers and stop exclusion in its tracks. 

• Lead Anyway: Proving that physical or mental hurdles don't define a student's potential to lead and succeed. ​

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I don't just speak about resilience; I show students how to construct a school environment where every "misfit" belongs. Because no matter how heavy the hurdle, we can conquer anything together.