Through July 4, The Post, in partnership with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is highlighting Americans sharing what the American dream means to them in 2026. Among them is Meghan LeFevers, principal of Warlick Academy, a public alternative school in Gastonia, NC, serving students who may struggle in a traditional classroom environment.
To me, the American dream is the chance for every person — regardless of where they come from, what challenges they face or what labels others may place on them — to pursue success.
In many parts of the world, children with disabilities are not always included. Some may not even be permitted to attend school. In this country, that opportunity exists, and it is something we should never take for granted.
Some students arrive in kindergarten already behind, often because they have not had early exposure to literacy and learning at home.
Each day, I have the privilege of walking into our school and telling our staff, “I believe you can do this, and we are going to do it together. It will not be easy every day, and it will not always be enjoyable. But even on the hardest days, we cannot give up on these children.”
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That, to me, is at the heart of the American dream. As educators, it is both our opportunity and our responsibility to help every child recognize that possibility for themselves.
Success does not look the same for everyone. It depends on what each person brings with them and where they begin. Everyone has a different starting line, but the finish line still exists. Some students may need more time, a different route, a pause or a chance to regroup. But reaching that destination is possible, and that is what true success means. Whatever that ending looks like for an individual, that is where their achievement lies.
The teachers and staff in our building have the chance to help create that American dream for students every single day. To do that, we must work together and think creatively, because students’ needs and the responsibilities of schools have changed dramatically over time. We still have much more to do to make education accessible to everyone, but we also have the opportunity to make that promise real.
The American Dream Video Project showcases real stories that illuminate pathways to opportunity. Featured at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), this series is part of the Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD is Washington, DC’s newest cultural institution, offering interactive exhibits and stories about achieving the American Dream. For more information, visit mcaad.org.
