Student author raises funds to get ADHD guide into 800 classrooms

By AI, Created 4:56 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Sadie Gewirtz, a Columbia High School student in Maplewood, New Jersey, is raising money to place her book, The Tea About ADHD, in classrooms across the South Orange Maplewood School District after the superintendent backed the effort. She has already sold more than 100 copies and raised enough to print 400 books, with a goal of giving students free access to the guide.

Why it matters: - The project aims to put an ADHD support resource directly into classrooms at no cost to students, families or schools. - The book is designed to help elementary and middle school students build organization, focus and confidence. - District support could widen access across 800 teachers and deepen school-level awareness of ADHD.

What happened: - Sadie Gewirtz, a student at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, wrote The Tea About ADHD after navigating her own ADHD diagnosis and school experience. - South Orange Maplewood School District Superintendent Jason Bing requested a copy for all 800 teachers in the district. - Bing also invited Gewirtz to speak at an upcoming Board of Education meeting. - Gewirtz is continuing a fundraising campaign to place copies in district classrooms without adding costs for schools.

The details: - The Tea About ADHD is a practical, funny, age-appropriate guide for students in elementary school and those entering middle school and high school. - The book offers strategies for homework, assignment tracking, managing distractions and staying organized. - Gewirtz frames ADHD as a strength, pointing to creativity, energy and big ideas as assets when students get the right support. - She combined personal experience with ADHD research to develop the book. - Gewirtz created the book’s visual identity and launched an Instagram account to share insights, resources and excerpts. - She worked with her friend Layla Sharret on illustrations. - After the book was shared with administrators and teachers in her school and local community, it built early momentum. - A social media fundraiser allowed supporters to buy copies and help fund printing. - Gewirtz has sold more than 100 copies and raised enough money to print 400 books. - The goal is to distribute the books directly to schools so students can access them for free. - Dr. Jenn Antoni, director of guidance, counseling, social work, and career and technical programs for the South Orange and Maplewood School District, called the book a thoughtful, engaging resource created by a student for students. - Matthew Endlich, transition coordinator at Columbia High School, said the book helps students see ADHD as a strength and better understand themselves.

Between the lines: - The response from district leaders suggests the book is landing as both a student voice and a practical classroom tool. - Gewirtz’s decision to keep fundraising, even after the district offered to buy the resource, keeps the project focused on broad access rather than a one-time sales opportunity. - The project also gives a student-led example of disability awareness that is rooted in lived experience instead of outside expertise.

What’s next: - Gewirtz plans to keep expanding distribution so more classrooms can receive the book. - She is also continuing speaking engagements at local schools, community organizations and events. - Interest in the project may lead to broader reach beyond her district. - Supporters can order a copy of The Tea About ADHD by emailing sadiegewirtz3@gmail.com and follow @theteaaboutadhd on Instagram and Facebook.