I grew up with a very hard-working dad, a stay-at-home mom, five brothers and one sister. From the time I was five years old, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. When I was 13, I started working weekends to pay for marching band trips, which then morphed into my saving for my college education. I didn’t even go to my parents for school money. I knew it was completely up to me.
I worked summers all through college, lived on very little, and went without things my roommates figured were needs, not wants. I took full credit loads, and also interned at elementary schools because I knew it would help me when I began job hunting. I did all of this without a car to boot!
So, over the years, when I watched some of my former students party and fail courses because Mom and Dad were footing the bill, I just shook my head. Every now and then I think how nice it would have been to have had help going to school, but I’m proud I did it on my own with no student loans to pay back. I also became a very good teacher. No one can take away what I accomplished, and it continues to keep me focused and determined as I move forward with my life.
Lani
I’m Proud of What I Accomplished