A young woman realizes a longstanding desire by becoming a teacher at the same school where she previously worked as a cleaner.
At the same school where she used to work as a cleaner, Wanda Smith, a young lady, achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher by earning her teaching certification.
After graduating from high school, Wanda had to put her dream of becoming a teacher on hold in order to care for her mother and support her family, according to Today.
She started her employment with the Brenham Independent School District, first as a bus monitor at 6 a.m. and then as a custodian from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Even with her hectic schedule, she was determined to return to school.
“I had intended to enroll immediately in college, but my mother’s illness forced me to postpone those goals, and I simply found a job and began supporting the family,” she added.
And occasionally I was unable to sleep because I would simply get off and take care of my responsibilities if my mother needed to visit the doctor. Furthermore, I never gave it any thought. She continued, “I just did it because it had to be done.”
Wanda made the decision to go back to school after receiving support from her family and spouse. She attended Blinn College in Brenham to obtain her associate’s degree, which she completed at the age of 37.
She chose to continue her education at Sam House Houston State University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching, a year after earning her associate’s degree.
Wanda described her nine-year academic journey as one of tenacity, despite losing time with her three children, attending night classes, and almost dropping out of school several times due to the untimely deaths of her mother and sisters. Nevertheless, she persevered and earned her teaching certification.
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She said that because she was close to all three of them and they served as her support system, the deaths of her mother and two sisters nearly caused her to drop out of school.
At night, when I was heading home, I would talk to my sister. Then, I was devastated when I lost her. It removed a lot. I did want to stop, Wanda said.
However, my spouse sat me down and informed me that I wasn’t the only one who had to make sacrifices. I thought, “Okay, I can do this.” “I can continue,” she continued.
After obtaining her teaching certification, Wanda went back to work as the custodian at Brenham Elementary School, where she now teaches first grade.
She was honored by the school during Teachers Appreciation Week for her tenacity, hard work, and kindness over the years, from her first job as a custodian to her current role as a first-grade teacher.
Wanda was likewise taken aback when the president of Sam Houston State University presented her with a $500 scholarship. A first-generation Sam Houston State student who wishes to become a teacher will receive the Wanda Smith Make a Difference Scholarship.
According to Wanda, she hopes her experience will encourage her students to enjoy learning as much as she did and to pursue it to the utmost.
