This was quite an eye-opening assignment for me. I learned that my paternal grandfather only had a 3rd grade education and two other grandparents only had an 8th grade education. I am the first, and only, college graduate in my family. I know growing up, I watched my dad come home from work tired and unhappy on a regular basis; I also saw the long hours my mom spent working then coming home and taking care of a home and children--there never seemed to be enough hours in the day to do all she needed to do. I knew I wanted a different life than that.
Though my views on education are somewhat different than those of my family members, I did inherit a strong work ethic from them. I believe in doing my best work and earning my pay. I also inherited a strong sense of compassion from both parents and my paternal grandmother. This desire to help others and having the ability to empathize with them has lead me to become a teacher as well as to pursue a career in counseling.
