Back to School – Grad School, That Is

By K. Coats

I’m going back to grad school in the fall, and I’d like to state publicly that it is all my Great Aunt Gail’s fault. Years ago, when I decided to become a teacher, my aunt was an excellent resource: former teacher, former principal, and former assistant superintendent. What she said went. I thought once I completed my Masters of Education that I’d never have to sit at a student desk again. That was my first mistake. My second was calling that same great aunt on the way home from work one afternoon when I’d finished my audiobook and wasn’t in the mood for music. So I called her to say hello. The ride home from work is often where I catch up and make short calls – hands free, of course. We chatted about this and that – can’t remember exactly what about now – but near the end of the call, my Aunt Gail did what she’s always done. She was direct.

“Alright, girl, what is your five-year plan?”

Five-year plan?! I was proud I knew what my next unit would be. I was proud that I might know what to make for dinner that night. I was proud my essays were finished being graded. I was too proud to say, “I don’t know,” and disappoint her.

“Well,” I stammered. “I was thinking at some point of going back to grad school. Maybe I’ll get my specialist or my doctorate.”

Isn’t it funny how you know someone is nodding when speaking on the phone? I could feel her nodding as I spoke. She approved of this plan. She’d done the same thing in her own time. So, I was relieved that she agreed. But now I had to follow through.

I didn’t lie to my aunt. I really had considered it many times. But something always came up. Some reason. Finances. Buying a home. A car. Having kids. My side business. There was always something there to get in the way just enough to make the idea of more graduate studies unappetizing.

Then came Covid. But there was one rare thing that resulted from Covid that was a perk. Up until this time, online classes had a stigma. And online education courses could be overpriced and limited in their offerings. Convenience is expensive, right? Once the general population got a taste of working from home, there was a demand for more. So now I had more options and didn’t have to wait until my children were older before going back. I didn’t have to take MARTA down to Georgia State University throughout the work week like I did when I was 24 after teaching each day. Kennesaw State University (KSU) would allow me to work from my living room, or bedroom, or basement crafting room.

So, all of this is to say, if you’ve torn open issues of Our Town eagerly looking for articles specifically written by yours truly, then you’ll have to content yourself with back issues of the previous 54 I’ve already written for a good while. This wife/mother/teacher/quilter will be headed back to grad school for her specialist degree and, possibly, doctorate. Instead of dazzling the citizens of Gwinnett with my thoughts and showcasing our Gwinnett County Schools graduates, I’ll be attempting to impress professors at KSU. Heck, maybe MY high school alma mater will showcase me. As you miss my articles and pine for my wit and insights, take

Climbing Mountains Continued from page 8

Point as it was going to be a beautiful sunrise. Festo (my guide) took pictures for me because of all my layers there would be no way I could push a button. They say once you make it to Stella Point, it’s easy to reach Uhuru Peak (highest point). I say – FALSE! Little by little we moved forward. Glaciers were all around. It was cold! But the feeling you have once you make it is unbelievable. 19,341 feet!

Highest point in Africa. Highest I have ever climbed. And I did it on my own two feet!!”

The soul-searching part of the journey was something unexpected and Sherie remembers having to dig deep in order to move forward. Also unexpected was the degree to which the old adage, “What goes up, must come down” applied to the trip down Kilimanjaro. Rocks and gravel were fairly unforgiving on knees and the path was not something that could be made easier by wishing it away. “I was ready to quit hiking forever!” recalls Sherie. “I was crying inside my head and was mad at myself despite the beauty of the summit.”

Turned out, things did get better. Food, water, rest, the restorative powers of Ibuprofen, and the beautiful songs of the porters proved enough to get Sherie down the mountain. “Watching the habitats change before my eyes was amazing and I knew I was close to the end when we got back to the rain forest,” recalls Sherie.

As all of the oxygen returned to Sherie’s bloodstream and the real processing began, the reality of her accomplishment began to take hold. Reading back over all of the comments that had been made by her friends and family was a humbling experience. Sherie tentatively reached out to “see” if anyone was interested in perhaps a Zoom presentation of her trip. They were, and it is exciting to Sherie that some of the very same technology that caused so much stress at the beginning of virtual learning – and has become an integral part of everyday life – will allow Sherie to take everyone along on her journey.

Sherie’s advice? Join a hiking group and get moving! You never know where it will take you! September 2022 Our Town Gwinnett

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