School

"I'm a single parent on a waitressing salary. I have financial need. I have the grades."

 

Karen attends Suny Cortland as a full time student. Majoring in Elementary Education with a concentration in Psychology and a minor in Mathematics, Karen is no stranger to the teaching profession. She grew up in a family of teachers: both her mother and father were teachers. After her divorce...

"I realized that education employed a lot of the skills that I really enjoy doing. I enjoy working with people, I enjoy being around kids, and I enjoy learning. It seemed like the perfect fit."

For Karen, the most difficult part of being a student is the fact that she has two very active boys and a lot of other activities going on.

"I have to be everywhere and everything all at once . . . I have to be mother, I have to be father, I have to be chauffeur, I have to be teacher, I have to be nurse; I have to be everything and I have to be it all the time."

Fortunately for Karen, she has the support of her family and friends to help her out. She lives with her mother but her father also helps a lot.

"If it were not for [my mother] there is no way I would be able to do what I'm doing now and go to work, and complete my dream of finishing my education . . . [My father] has been invaluable in encouraging my education."

 

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