High Road is a Homerun for DJ

Discovering DJ’s Motivation Through Baseball

When DJ arrived at the High Road School of Anne Arundel this past March, the staff quickly learned about his love for baseball. In a matter of days, DJ and his teacher, Mr. Riley, connected over baseball.

“DJ expressed his interest in baseball during his first week at High Road,” said Mr. Riley. “We were able to bond over this since I played baseball at the college level and coached at the high school level. He talks about his games and trips to minor league and MLB games all the time.”

Baseball as a Tool for Student Progress at High Road School

Outside of the classroom, DJ plays for a local club team, the Extreme, and he is a diehard Baltimore Orioles fan. These game outings were used as incentives by his parents for strong attendance and performance in school, shared Mr. Riley.

A Reward System That Inspires Growth

Soon enough, it became clear that baseball wasn’t just a fun activity for DJ, but it was a motivator. His passion for baseball has now become part of a weekly reward system: if DJ meets his goals, he earns a trip to the baseball field. And he has, so far twice and counting.

To step up to the plate, DJ committed to wearing his school uniform, completing classwork, and staying out of timeout. Almost immediately, staff noticed a real shift in his attitude and behavior.

“DJ wanted to show us [staff] and his peers he could do well,” said Mr. Riley. “Within the first couple of days of making the baseball field deal, he was leveling up.”

DJ has had the chance to play with two High Road staff members, Ms. Kelly, program director, and Mr. Dashaun, behavior specialist. Along with Mr. Riley, both staff members share a personal connection to the sport: Ms. Kelly played and coached softball, and Mr. Dashaun grew up playing baseball. That shared understanding has helped reinforce DJ’s motivation and celebrate his wins along the way.

Building Leadership, Confidence, and Classroom Success

His progress hasn’t gone unnoticed by his classmates. Students often compliment him on good days and acknowledge the positive changes they see. DJ also now helps in the elementary classrooms as an additional incentive – his leadership has made him a role model within the school community.

Celebrating DJ’s Continued Student Progress

“DJ has come a long way since he started at High Road as a seventh-grader,” said Mr. Riley. “His improvements are a real testament to all the staff who have worked closely with DJ and motivated him to buy into the CASE system. Watching these changes has been encouraging to see and is a reminder that growth takes time and patience.”