Why go into Special Education?

Motivation, inspiration or it just seemed right?

20th February 2024

Were you one of a group of people who found their calling later in life? I want to ask thought provoking questions that gives us a chance to figure out what happened and what we want for our futures. 

I wasn't given an opportunity in my youth that meant I could go to university. It was a traumatic time and my memories are a little hazy but one thing I know is that I missed out on getting my foot on the ladder. I went from job to job with only a high school diploma and no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Nothing inspired me, I was focused on getting away from my teenage life in every way possible. The people I went to school with managed to go to university and went into adult life with focus and direction. The only focus and direction I had was figuring out a way to escape my life.

I wasn't an incapable student. I just couldn't get my act together at school. I couldn't hold my concentration long enough and felt drained. I didn't make friends very easily, either, and preferred to spend my time alone or with small groups of boys. There was less judgment. I left school at 16 with 9 GCSE's and while I didn't do terribly, I could have done so much better. I take responsibility for that, I could have used school as an escape but I just didn't know how. 

My very first role at 16 was selling double glazing. It was the weirdest dynamic, sitting in an office, cold calling people to ask if they want to buy some windows. I hated it. The "manager" was a long haired, 17 year old boy, who resembled one of the Hanson brothers. There was a man in his 60s, who I remember had a way with words and did quite well. There are only so many times someone can tell you to f*ck off over the phone, before you say enough is enough. Fortunately, I lasted all of 2 days and never went back. I didn't even get paid for it. 

It wasn't until I became a mother at 25 when things changed for me. My second son arrived when I was 30. I began to change my outlook on life, I had two young children that needed a mother but needed more than that. I started to study. English was easy for me, I was good at it and knew how to be creative. So I trained to become an English teacher. I started volunteering in primary schools, helping children to read. Underprivileged schools were so nice to work with, the kids responded well to my support and that's when I realised I wanted to do more to help not just underprivileged kids, but those with learning difficulties. 

There are moments in life when we suddenly realise there is a need to act on something. In what way has that affected you? Was there a pivotal moment in life that guided you down a path you didn't know you would take?