School principal: Educators can pursue the American dream by giving their students a chance to achieve it as well

Through July 4, The Post, in conjunction with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is featuring US citizens explaining what the American dream means to them in 2026 — including Meghan LeFevers, principal of Warlick Academy, a public alternative school in Gastonia, NC, geared toward students who may face challenges in a traditional classroom setting.

I think the American dream is the ability for individuals, no matter where they come from or what their label or disability may be, to find success.

Often in other countries where children with disabilities may not even be included, they may not even be allowed to attend school And here, that’s not the case. That’s such a precious opportunity.

Even in kindergarten, students can be behind because they have not had maybe early literacy exposure.

Every day I have the opportunity to go into that school environment and say [to the staff], “I believe that you can do this, and we’re going to do this together. It’s not going to be fun every day and it’s not going to be easy by no means. But don’t give up on them even when the days are hard.”

That’s truly the American dream and it’s our opportunity and our responsibility as educators to help every child see that.

Success looks different for everybody, depending on what you’re coming to the table with. Everybody’s starting line is different, but the ending line is there. It may take you much longer to get there, it may take you a different path, you may have to take a break [or] refuel. But we can all get to the end, and that’s the true success. Whatever your end looks like, that’s where your success lies.

[Teachers and staff] in this school building have the opportunity to create that American dream for students every day. We have to come together and be creative, because students and the responsibilities of schools have changed drastically over the years. And we have to be able to meet those changing goals. We have a lot of work to do as far as how we are making things accessible to everyone. [But] we have that opportunity.

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.