He Made It!

This day has been long in arriving. Kiel started his college career thinking he would be a physical therapist for children. Soon though, he realized that there is no particular specialty involving children, and he would have to take every age, heavy on the senior citizen generation. Then he tried being a physical education teacher, but the field experience he was assigned was with junior high inner city kids, and that was the end of that. Next he tried communication with a heavy interest in media, where he dabbled in making video clips for Sunday School classes and junior church groups. He liked it, but the papers were too much for him. In the end, out of default and desperation, he settled for a BA in Liberal Arts.

The college here has a policy of allowing a student to graduate (walk) even if they have up to 9 more hours to complete, so Kiel was eligible to walk this year. And walk he did. What an amazingly handsome young man. No one would have realized he was 26. He looks the same age as the rest of the students graduating. Maybe a tad younger even. It has been a long and frustrating road for him. And of course, he still has 3 classes to complete over the summer.

And what does he hope to do with this degree? He would love to continue working in the day care center where he has been part time over the last few years. He really enjoys working with kids, especially younger ones. And they are attracted to him as well. He is bright and caring and creative and accepting and they all love his attention and engagement.

But that doesn't pay a heck of a lot of money, so he is looking for a kindergarten teacher position. In NYS, you need certification which he does not have. He is looking elsewhere, but also into the certification process. He is adamant that more school will kill him. He is probably right. He gets A's when his sleep issues are under control, so he is not stupid by any means. He just finds that actually living is more important.

Right on, son. Thank you for hanging in there until you got the degree. And now, go find your niche and be happy. Love ya lots, MOM