A common comment around my house starting on Wednesday is “what am I going to write a column about this week?”
When my kids were in the house, a common comment from my oldest daughter Lake was “write about me.”
She gets her wish. I am writing my column about her and the wonderful young lady that she has become.
It is a great season in my daughter Lake’s life.
She has graduated with a Masters from Arkansas State University in Special Education.
To say that I am proud is an understatement.
She has worked hard for this degree, and she has done it with adversity on every corner of the way.
It wouldn’t matter if she didn’t graduate with a 4.0 GPA. However, she did.
Those that have to overcome the most are usually the best.
That would describe my daughter.
Education was a struggle for her during her early days. She overcame.
With every obstacle that came in her path, she was victorious.
Medical issues surrounding the birth of our first grandson meant she had to drop a semester of classes. That would have ended many educational careers.
That did not stop her.
Moving to central Arkansas created even more challenges. There was no built in babysitter like grandparents or great grandparents. The closest relative was more than an hour away.
Things were tough, yet she overcame.
COVID hit. Then COVID continued, and she was asked to teach kindergarten students via zoom.
I guess there were no real rules for this, because at one point she had 81 students in kindergarten. That is not typed incorrectly. She had that many students for more than three weeks until other teachers could be put in place to reduce her load.
She had to teach the students how to sign onto their computers. Then it was her responsibility to teach these kids to read and learn the other skills that were needed for the first year of education.
The Pulaski County School District gave her special recognition for her efforts during this time.
As the new year was approaching, Lake was being moved to another grade level. It seems that her kindergarten kids were too advanced and had skills to be proficient in first grade.
Then she changed her educational career path completely. She moved into special education.
She now gets to help spread the joy of education to those that struggle.
My daughter is full of love to those that struggle. She is firm and demands the best from them.
She demands the best from her boys no matter their struggle.
When she was a young student, she had the symptoms of ADD; however she didn't have the behavior issues.
As she studied to be a SPED teacher; she took the information to heart. She knew as a mother and as a teacher that her own child was having issues.
With her persistence, he will now receive therapies and accommodations for him to be successful.
My princess has definitely proven her strength, intelligence and compassion. She is truly a blessing to her students and her family.
Lake, your parents love you. Your parents are so proud of you. Your parents love the young lady you have become.
Jeff Brasel is the sports and managing editor of the Newton County Times. E-mail him at sports@newtoncountytimes.com or follow him at twitter.com/jeffbrasel.
