Darrius Gets His Drive Back

At the beginning of this school year, Chadwell Elementary student Darrius was struggling—both academically and behaviorally. He quickly accumulated 23 absences within just a few months, and his teachers expressed concern about his difficulty staying focused and engaged in class. His mother also shared that he was becoming discouraged, which was beginning to affect his motivation both at school and at home.

CISTN program manager Ms. Tiffany started working with Darrius to improve his school attendance. She quickly discovered that Darrius was a bright student with a kind personality, but that his current classroom wasn’t the best fit for his learning style. The mismatch was showing up not just in his attendance, but also his behavior and academic confidence. His family was supportive but wasn’t sure  how to turn things around.

Darrius shows off his achievement certificates.

Ms. Tiffany met with his parent, teachers, school staff, and the principal to explore possible solutions. Collectively, they discussed whether a classroom change might provide Darrius with the structure and support he needed to thrive. Once that change was approved, Darrius transitioned to a new teacher after fall break.

Darrius’ transformation was “immediate and remarkable,” said Ms. Tiffany. With the new classroom environment, his attendance improved significantly. He didn’t miss a single day of school during the entire month of December. His behavior became more positive, and his engagement in learning increased.

Soon after, he earned A/B Honor Roll and was recognized as the Most Improved Student in his class! His many accomplishments were celebrated at a schoolwide awards ceremony at the beginning of the spring semester, where he received multiple certificates.

“Seeing his face light up as he received each award was unforgettable. I was beaming with pride and excitement!” Ms. Tiffany recalled.

The program manager says that without the collaboration between CISTN, his family, teachers, and school staff, Darrius may have continued struggling with attendance and classroom engagement. However, with timely intervention and a supportive environment, he gained the confidence, stability, and motivation needed to shine.

“Darrius’ journey is a powerful reminder that the right support at the right time can completely transform a student’s school experience. He is a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the power of believing in a child’s potential,” Ms. Tiffany said.

Your generosity makes success stories like Darrius possible! If you’d like to support CISTN’s mission, head to the donate page and make a gift to help students like Darrius today.