When we unfold the road map of our life and look at all the twists and turns, detours, mountains and valleys that we have travelled it is truly fascinating to try and see what the next section of the map will look like.  Will it be a steep peak to climb, a delta with many lakes and rivers to cross or a long flat boring prairie drive?

As I approach 45 and I look at my road map I see a life filled with adventure, twisting roads,  surprise road blocks, gravel roads and speed free zones.  What I do know is that all of these roads eventually met and led me here to Stenberg and to the Special Education Assistant Program.

Making a decision at my age to go back to school is considered by some to be crazy – “But you have a degree already”, “Why do you want to do homework?”,

“Aren’t you going to be older than everyone else?” are just some of the more common questions I get asked.

My answer:  “Yes, I do have a degree, which, with my SEA diploma, will make me an even greater asset for any Special Needs program.  It’s not “homework” if it’s something you love learning, and at my age I have the luxury of going back to school to only take something I really want to learn – and no, I will not be the oldest in the class, and even if I was, it wouldn’t matter because, today, in 2010, classrooms are filled with people of all ages going back to school to increase their level of education.”

I have always wanted to work in the area of Special Needs, but the road wasn’t open for me when I was younger – I had chosen detours that led me to other destinations.  Last year I saw the opportunity, and the timing was right, and I knew it was my turn to go through the green light and grab onto my dream.  In a matter of a few months I will be starting to apply for a job in the field of work I have always wanted to be in, and thanks to the society we now live in, it’s not too late to be doing this – even at 44!!