Hello! I am Michelle Winters. I am a Middle School Teacher, waitress, and multipotentialite. The latter is why I am here.
At 36, I went through a four month stint where I couldn't sleep for more than two hours which eventually led me to seeking medical advice/help. Instead of leaving with a sleep aide I left with a new diagnosis- top tier, 100th percentile, Adult ADHD. I, at that time, was still an ADHD stigma queen, my diagnosis took me through all the stages of grief: shock, denial, guilt, anger, depression, the upward turn, working through, and acceptance. It was during my 'grief' process where I started to research ADHD. I wanted to better understand it, understand myself, and rid myself of ADHD misconceptions.
My research led to interviews and after five years I realized I had a plethora of information and strategies that could help teachers and ADHD learners in the classroom. Especially since research has shown that two-thirds of classroom teachers have not had any ADHD training (even though each year the number of diagnosed children in each classroom rises). This led me to writing "Wait Class What Was I Saying?" Teaching with ADHD: Classroom Strategies for ADHD Learners and publishing it on Amazon.
Since publishing, my research has not stopped. Through this continued research I stumbled across the International ADHD Conference in Baltimore hosted by ACO, ADDA, and CHADD. I looked at the website every night for weeks, reading sessions, and choosing what one I would attend if I could go (yes, I know, DORK). The price point to attend plus the "its on a school day" keep me from registering immediately. Then I saw this:
So I slept on it for two nights, then, I realized I had to try to get my book in the Conference Bookstore. So I filled out the form to provided 25 books to be in the store. I was accepted and they asked for a headshot (I didn't have one so it is a bathroom selfie I took 5 years ago) to provide on the author website. Then this happed:
!!! I WAS ON THE WEBSITE AND I HAD A BOOK SIGNING!!!!!!!!
UMMM, what?
So after I felt all my emotions and laughed about the bathroom selfie I chose, I started to realistically think if I could go. I mean, a book signing?!? I have to try. I crunched the numbers, it took days, I came up with the total for "A Winters Wish". Even with multiple jobs the conference was still more of a dream not a practical option. My investment in my classroom economy store and sacrificing a couple waitressing shifts to accomplish my book writing goal depleted my 'dream filling' fund.
Instead of giving up, I decided to look to you, my village, to maybe make this dream a reality.
By attending the conference, not only will I get to show up to my first book signing (**what in the world is book signing etiquette?!?!?), but I can continue my research furthering my knowledge on ADHD to help broaden my comprehension of ADHD learners and strategies to effectively teach them. The conference would also provide me access to the best minds in current research on ADHD, open doors, and provide opportunities to make professional connections that would otherwise be out of my reach.
Included in the amount is entrance to the conference, 3 nights say in Baltimore, workdays missed, sub pay, leave without pay, parking, gas, other travel expenses, copies of my book (for store and to bring), and site fees.
I will be forever grateful to those who can donate. Your donation will make my dream come true, and allow me to help other ADHD learners. Thank you.
