Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: A Dedicated and Passionate Learning Disability Advocate, Environmentalist, and Videographer

an Interview by Annie Shan in 2024

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson is a rising college freshman from Miami, Florida, who advocates for neurodivergent individuals and inclusive education. Despite having dyslexia and dyscalculia, she excels in her studies and works to raise awareness about learning differences. Jamora is also an environmental advocate and a passionate content creator, recognized for her leadership, creativity, and community service efforts.

Annie Shan: Thank you so much for joining me, Jamora. To start, can you tell us a bit about where you live and what you do in your free time?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: I live in Miami, Florida, and I’m about to move to New York City for college. In Miami, I do a lot of content creation for social media and advocacy organizations. I’m also an event videographer and photographer, covering events in Miami and across the country. For fun, I love to crochet, kayak, sail, and cook with fresh ingredients from Miami. I have an Etsy account where I sell micro-crochet and giant stuffed animals. I also enjoy being active and experiencing the "Miami vibe."

Annie Shan: That’s great! Moving on, can you share more about the work you do outside of school and how you find these opportunities?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: Absolutely. As a content producer and event videographer, organizations often reach out to me on LinkedIn or Instagram for events. I’m also on various boards and councils, which makes it easier to get involved in these activities. Recently, I participated in a National STEM festival in DC, where we did a Tiktok live collaboration. I get to create promotional videos for their marketing needs and sometimes work with smaller private clients. My work varies from documenting trips to South Africa to filming youth advocacy conferences in places like Chicago. Being on the boards of several organizations also means I'm often flown out to major events to help with social media content.

Annie Shan: That’s really cool! Now, let’s talk about dyscalculia and dyslexia. Can you share your journey with these learning challenges?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: My path to diagnosis was non-traditional. I was always in gifted classes, so my struggles with writing words backwards or inside out went unnoticed. Things became more challenging in middle school with algebra and advanced math classes. It wasn’t until I failed precalculus in 10th grade that my school suggested getting diagnosed. In 11th grade, I was diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and short-term memory issues. Understanding these challenges helped me realize that my struggles were not due to a lack of intelligence but a different way of learning. It was a relief to understand that my struggles were due to learning differences and not a lack of ability.

Annie Shan: Thank you for sharing that. Did you receive any accommodations after your diagnosis?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: Yes, I started receiving accommodations in 11th and 12th grade. Before that, teachers were often unaware of my struggles. After my diagnosis, I was supposed to get various accommodations, like using a calculator for math, extra time on tests, and using a computer for written assignments. However, not all accommodations were provided. It’s important for schools to understand and support students with learning challenges, and unfortunately, many schools fall short in providing necessary accommodations.

Annie Shan: Definitely. How did your peers and teachers react to your learning challenges?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: Initially, I didn’t feel different because I wasn’t focusing solely on academics. After my diagnosis, it was a relief to know that I wasn’t just struggling for no reason. I focused on my strengths, like public speaking and advocacy, which helped me feel less like an outcast. Being at a highly competitive school where everyone had high GPAs, I realized that excelling in other areas like extracurriculars and advocacy could also be rewarding. This approach helped me cope with the academic challenges and find my own path to success.

Annie Shan: That’s inspiring. What strategies or tools do you use to manage dyslexia and dyscalculia in your daily life?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: For dyslexia, I practice speaking scripts beforehand, especially for public speaking events. Reading out loud can be challenging, so practicing helps me feel more confident. For dyscalculia, I rely on YouTube videos for learning math because they allow me to pause and rewind. Visualizing concepts rather than focusing on numbers also helps. For example, when I crochet, I don’t count stitches traditionally; I visualize patterns, which makes the process easier for me.

Annie Shan: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced due to these learning disabilities, and how have you overcome them?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: One of the biggest challenges is the preconceived notion that because I’m not good at math, I’m incapable in many other areas. This mindset affected my opportunities, like being denied from taking AP Environmental Science despite having good grades. So instead, I took scuba diving and shark tagging classes, hands-on explorations that were a lot more fun than sitting in the room and studying for an AP test. Another challenge is public speaking, where I have to practice a lot to ensure I don’t mix up words or get nervous. I also faced issues with handwriting, which can be difficult for others to read, so I often type my notes and assignments. Overcoming these challenges involves focusing on my strengths and advocating for the accommodations I need.

Annie Shan: So what made you interested in agriculture and environmental science? And what motivated you to do so much advocacy work in these areas?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: Growing up in Miami, you're constantly surrounded by beautiful nature, marine life like manatees and alligators, and so much incredible wildlife. We do have agricultural industries here, but that’s mostly down south. Seeing all this natural beauty made me appreciate it, but I also noticed pollution in the neighborhood, car emissions, and debris in the water affecting wildlife like turtles. I love nature, and it brings me so much joy, especially gardening at home with edible flowers, tomatoes, and basil. I realized I wanted to spread this joy and protect nature, which led me to environmental advocacy. In elementary school, I started by making everyone collect their chip bags for recycling. In high school, I joined many environmental organizations, did beach cleanups with Girl Scouts, and got certified in scuba diving. I did coral restorations, fish IDs, and even shark tagging, tagging about five sharks, three of which were eight feet or longer. It’s incredible to appreciate and contribute to the conservation of such magnificent creatures.

Annie Shan: That’s so cool! So would you describe yourself as more into the aquatic side of environmental science, like marine science?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: It's a mix of both. I want to do agriculture but specifically study how water affects agriculture, like desalination or removing algae blooms and purifying water. Combining my love for water and agriculture, I’m excited to explore solutions for sustainable farming and environmental conservation. Going to places like Jordan to see desalination plants is something I’d love to do.

Annie Shan: Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your passion for environmental science and advocacy. How have your learning challenges influenced your advocacy work?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: My experiences have driven me to teach others about identifying learning disabilities. I give presentations to teachers to help them understand and empathize with students with learning challenges like dyscalculia, dyslexia, and ADHD. I want to expand this program to reach more students and teachers, helping them validate and address these challenges. There are many learning challenge organizations: the Lucy Project, for instance, offers free diagnoses, making it more accessible for students to get the help they need. It's incredibly rewarding to see the impact of this work on both teachers and students.

Annie Shan: That’s wonderful. What words would you use to describe yourself other than being dyscalculic and dyslexic? What interesting facts or qualities about you do you wish other people know?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: I would definitely say that I am really devoted. For example, with crochet projects, I like to show my appreciation for my friends, teachers, or classmates by crocheting them gifts that I think they would really like. My biggest project was an almost anatomically correct Pacific octopus, which took me 52 hours to crochet. Sometimes I wonder if I should spend so much time on these projects, but I am dedicated and like to finish what I start.

I’m also very creative. I love learning new styles of art, whether it’s digital, animation, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, or sewing. I’m even trying to fit my sewing machine and dress form into my college dorm room. There are just so many beautiful things that can come from art.

Lastly, I would say I am a nerd. For instance, in Morocco, I was talking about marine animals' modes of reproduction, which I find incredibly fascinating, and someone called me a nerd. It brought me so much joy because I am a nerd, and just because I struggle with one subject and my grades aren't the highest, I love to learn, and I will always do that. I love being a nerd.

Annie Shan: Those qualities make you such an interesting person! What are your current and future goals related to learning disabilities and other areas of your life?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: I want to bring my presentations to more schools and organizations. Personally, I’m also challenging myself to learn new languages. I spent five months learning Arabic and want to continue learning other languages like Russian. It’s a personal challenge to accomplish something that seems difficult. I’m also excited about my upcoming studies in biology and agricultural sciences at Bard College, and I hope to transfer to Cornell to further specialize in these areas.

Annie Shan: That’s so inspiring. Finally, what advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with dyscalculia, dyslexia, or any other learning disability?

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: Your learning challenge does not define you. Focus on your strengths and seek the accommodations you need. Use every opportunity to your advantage and don’t let your challenges limit you. Embrace what you’re good at and continue to improve. Also, advocate for yourself and connect with others who share similar experiences. Building a support network can make a huge difference in managing and overcoming challenges.

Annie Shan: Thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights, Jamora. Your story will inspire many readers.

Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson: Thank you, Annie. It was great talking to you.