The Field School

I graduated from The Field School in 1978 and it changed my life. I had been diagnosed with Dyslexia (later ADD) in the 4^th grade and after trying several schools I just excelled at The Field School way beyond the others. I was there only 10, 11 and 12 grades but I accomplished more in those 3 years than in any other schools.
My parents told me that when I met Elizabeth Ely (the founder) that we went into her office to talk. I came out of the office and told my parents that «Miss Ely and I have discussed it and I will be coming here». I don’t remember the conversation but I know it was her making sure the Field School was the right fit for she cared about every student. The teachers were outstanding. I later learned the Elizabeth knew she could pay the teacher what she wanted so she sought out the smartest people with the greatest passion to teach that she could find. They would often be only their for a few years and she knew it. Like my science teacher that came to work there for a few years while he worked to get into Med school. Many stayed much longer of course. She got them at their prime with a passion to inspire young people and was a master at doing so.
Nothing describes how great Field School was for me than to share some of my accomplishments. When I found out that they did not have a yearbook and I had loved being on the yearbook staff in other schools I talked to Elizabeth about it. She challenged me about it and asked what «I» was going to do about it and I went to work getting a team together along with a teacher sponsor to help us. Two of the sharpest girls in my class agreed to help. I still have pictures of the yearbook and layout I will try to post them. Years later I stopped by to visit the school just after the school had closed for the day. There was a student waiting for their ride home and I introduced myself, asking what was new at the school. They told me that the yearbook had just won some type of big award. I asked to know more and he told me the story of how one of the students had started it years ago and you can see some of the collages masters framed on the wall in the school today. That was me and the yearbook team they were talking about! I even remembered working on the collages with the team year ago.
I always had an interest in Science but my science teacher inspired me to new levels at The Field School and help me get a NSA scholarship to Ball State University in Holography, electronics, and other areas of physics for high school students. I returned from that event and spent the rest of the summer writing a 110 page book on how to make Holograms. Other students before me had created a Holographic table and made some holograms at the school as a project. I again went to Elizabeth with the book and the idea of her letting me teach a class to my peers on making Holograms. She saw the book and challenged me to write up the course outline. One the teachers help me put it together and I taught the class in Holography at the school.
I also got to excel in photography with the school darkroom and a gifted photographer named Olga that used a leica M2 camera. I remember her challenging me to see new things in the photography class. A hobbie I still enjoy today. I was not as good at sports so Elizabeth let me take weight training and I started the 1^st weight training class with a local veteran that loved teaching kids.
This is not just my unique story but a example of thousands of student that were inspired at The Field School. I love going home to DC and hearing people talking about the great Field School.
I am now 55, still deal with my Dyslexia and ADD and have written three books that you can find on Amazon. I also have clearly made real difference in my community. Thanks to The Field School and the dear late Elizabeth Ely, that I know is still watch over all of us. Thanks for lighting the fire to my life.