As we close out September and my focus on self-improvement, I bring you an awesome story of personal determination. I couldn’t think of a better person to bring to life the outcome of taking a dream and pushing to make it a reality.
Meet Mrs. Goh. She’s a wife and a mom, but I know her best through her diligent care of Juliana as the classroom teaching assistant. You may remember Mrs. Goh from my teacher rant post.
I interviewed her recently so I could get the full scope of her inspiring life change.
Give me a glimpse into your background? Have you always been in education?
When I lived in Malaysia, I was a high school teacher. I would talk so much that I lost my voice. I had to find a job that didn’t affect my voice. Eventually, I left teaching and went into retail and then banking. When my husband and I moved to the U.S., I felt I would go back to teaching when my youngest child went to kindergarten.
Well did you?
I loved being a full-time stay at home mom. So, I did that for a while.
I was so happy working in Mrs. Fagan’s class with Juliana and all the other kids. I felt I could stay there forever. But, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t do this.
What changed to land you back into the classroom?
When I was pregnant with my last son, the test showed a marker for Down Syndrome. I started doing a lot of research and learned a lot about special needs. My son was born and he did not have Down’s Syndrome. But, I used to watch this middle school boy with Down Syndrome from our apartment every day. I didn’t know this boy, but I built a connection just seeing him catch the bus each day. That exploration about special needs never went away. I started having thoughts about teaching special needs.
Were you able to teach in the U.S. then?
No, the requirements are different here, so I tried to find work as a para pro (para professional teaching assistant). I worked at a church one-on-one with a little girl with Down’s Syndrome.
Then, I got a full time job as a special needs para pro in the county and I did that for 2 years. And finally, I got a para pro job at Juliana’s school. I was here for 4 years and decided I would like to do this as a teacher. I had my degree evaluated and I was short some credit hours. I would have to do alternate certification to become a full-time special ed teacher.
What does it take?
There are 5 tests–reading, writing, math and 2 special needs tests. These tests are just to apply for the program. It took me 3 years on and off to study all the math. The tests are expensive and the program is 2 years. I took 80 hours this summer. I have class every Thursday night, and homework every weekend.
I was so happy working in Mrs. Fagan’s class with Juliana and all the other kids. I felt I could stay there forever. But, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t do this. I decided not to procrastinate. Last December, I started to prepare for the test in the spring. I just made the application cutoff to enter the program.
Wow, what a commitment! You must really want to teach.
I felt like I needed to listen to the voice in me–that God was giving me. I’m not the only one. I have many other classmates–they want to teach. There is a lady in my class who is 68 years old and teaching special needs in middle school. I know this is what I want to do.
I’m so grateful for teachers like Mrs. Goh. She has a big heart for children. And an even bigger one for children with special needs.
Six years and many classroom hours later, she didn’t give up and kept pushing toward her goal.
Is there something you need to keep pushing toward today?
A very impactful entry, Sabrina. She listened and followed her calling!
Yes, she did. Now, she gets to touch the lives of so many. I’m grateful for the way she has touched ours. So many view teaching and “success” with the wrong lens. She didn’t feel she had a story to share. I know others–just like you, will think otherwise. Thanks for sharing.