A Couple More Quotes

This is one I forgot about but really like.

In a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have.
~Lee Iacocca

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
~Margaret Mead

Margaret Mead--I used to want to be like her! When I was in 5th or 6th grade, I read a biography about her and her times in Samoa. I decided then that I wanted to be an anthropologist. At some point, I changed my mind and wanted to be an ethologist . I think this desire was the result of watching some sort of National Geographic show on TV. Of course, there were times when I wanted to be a circus acrobat, a doctor who helped cure cancer, a nurse, and a fire prevention engineer (thanks to my dad's influence as a firefighter). Never did I dream about being a teacher. Or a statistician/analyst (what I was in my previous career).

I guess my point to all this is regarding the various influences we encounter and how they guide us through life. Granted, the earlier influence of reading a Margaret Mead bio didn't guide me far, but it did plant some seeds of curiosity. What ultimately influenced me to become a special education teacher started with my nephew Dakota. He was the most powerful and influential reason for me to take the path I have. This path started with him, but also passed through the lives of many children with exceptionalities through Children's Medical Center of Dallas, at Camp Esperanza, and at Night OWLS , a family health ministry for families with children that have exceptional needs. These kids have just reached out and grabbed my heart. They are so special and at times I think they teach me more than I teach them! I don't think I ever would have found this way had it not been for sweet Dakota and all of the other kids I met on this path that began with him, so to them all I am forever grateful.