My favorite play activity when I was a child was to "play school". Of course, I was always the teacher. I conducted classrooms of dolls and stuffed animals. And, when possible, I rounded up a classroom of compliant playmates. I was in my niche.

At the time of highschool graduation, I told my teachers, counselors, family and friends, I wanted to be a teacher. No one encouraged me, citing reasons like poor pay, difficult students, and a demanding workload. In my heart of hearts, I could not see me being anything but a teacher. My parents did their best to dissuade me and, finally, I relinquished my dream.

Most of my adult work history has entailed generic secretarial, clerk, receptioninst type jobs. And, I've had a few stints in waitressing and sales. I was never really comfortable with what I was doing. I never really went "up the ladder" with any of my work experiences, though I had opportunities.

It wasn't until later in life, around 30, that I had an opportunity to work with children in a child care setting. I had three children of my own and I worked as a preschool teacher. What I did out of necessity became an ephiney experience for me, I discovered my passion for the education of young children.

I have been in the business now for over fifteen years and have found that working as a preschool teacher gives ample opportunity for me to indulge my creative abilities and feel that I am doing something very necessary and worthwhile. Now over 50, I have some college experience and hope to return to school in the near future with the intent to get my degree in this particular field.

Often times, when discussing field of work, others tend to minimize my occupation. I just tell people I program computers, organic computers. I absolutely love my work and know that I will be doing something in this field the rest of my life. My only regret is that I allowed others to persuade me from following my dreams. I can't recoup the years that I lost or regret that I've yet to acquire a degree. The work satisfaction and excitement that I have doing my job is worth very much to me, especially when I know I am investing myself into the lives of young children.