In honor of our 25th anniversary, ResponsiveEd proudly reflects on the stories, successes, and organization members over the years. One example of such success is ResponsiveEd Alum Ceylan Turkdil.
ResponsiveEd Alum Ceylan Turkdil
Upon noticing a new school construction in the Hickory Creek, Texas, community, her mother met our Chief Education Architect (2002-2022), Dr. Alan Wimberley, amid a significant role in developing our first elementary school and sharing our mission of quality educational choice with families at the time.
“We were going to go all in on providing a new kind of campus in Hickory Creek, Texas, which became [ResponsiveEd’s] first elementary school,” said Dr. Wimberley. “We would tell parents: ‘This is your school, help us make it what it should be. What is the vision for this community, and what do we need to do about it to make it happen?’”
Intrigued by this unique, personalized, and community-responsive approach to education, Ceylan’s mother enrolled her at Vista Academy of Hickory Creek (now Founders Classical Academy – Corinth) for the 2007-08 school year.
From her first day as a bright-eyed kindergarten student, Ceylan thrived in an educational environment where individualized learning was no longer just a concept but a core principle. “I remember the large focus on the individuality of the student and what their specific interests are and where their opportunities were for growth and development and the support that the staff had on those areas of opportunity,” said Ceylan. “And sure enough, I went through K-12 with ResponsiveEd.”
Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, the campus’ classical curriculum embraced Ceylan’s unique strengths and interests and provided her with ample opportunities for personal and academic growth. With hard work, dedication, and the support of her teachers, Ceylan continued to excel with ResponsiveEd from K-12. She graduated from our iSchool of Lewisville (now Lewisville School of Science & Technology) with an impressive 54 college credits, accelerating her academic journey and instilling invaluable skills like time management and self-discipline.
Today, as a first-generation college student, Ceylan is set to graduate from the University of North Texas this spring with a degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in mathematics and business foundation studies. After graduation, she plans to begin a career teaching hospital medical professionals how to utilize new medical equipment safely and effectively.
In a world where education often serves as a pathway to success, her story is a testament to the effectiveness of personalized education and an example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and a nurturing community.
For more on our 25th anniversary, follow along at ResponsiveEd25.com as we highlight the voices and stories of our community, including those who have been with us since the beginning, and commemorate our past with proud anticipation of what lies ahead.
Find a Founders Classical Academy campus near you to learn more about the lifelong passion for learning these campuses foster in students. For more information or to apply at Founders Classical Academy – Corinth, visit foundersclassical.com/corinth.
For more information about how Lewisville School of Science & Technology empowers tomorrow’s innovators or to apply at Lewisville School of Science & Technology, visit scitechtx.com.
