Now a special education teacher for a health-care program, Wendy had no idea when she graduated from East Carolina University (Go, Pirates!)what she wanted to do with her Political Science degree. While managing a small peanut company, she had the opportunity to teach a political science course in a maximum security prison, and she was immediately hooked on teaching!

She taught sixth grade on a parallel entry certificate while she got her license, then switched to seventh and eighth grade math and science. The next year she picked up a high school journalism class and a family-living class.  (It was a small school).  Working with emotionally and educationally challenged students, she says, is a fantastic experience, noting that she especially treasures the camaraderie and esprit de corps that exists among special ed teachers.