When did you realize you wanted to make a change in your career and life?

“I was working a very late swing shift at a hotel front desk. I had a two-year old little boy and I realized that I was not where I really wanted to be in my life. I just knew that I loved children and I really felt I had it within me to be a teacher.”

Having already attended college, were you apprehensive about juggling an academic schedule in order to achieve your goal of becoming a teacher?

“I had the idea that maybe this was possible – that I could go back to school, but when I really thought about it, it seemed daunting since I had been to school already and had a degree in Communications and knew what was required. I felt this drive within me and I knew if anyone was going to make the change it had to be me…I knew if I didn’t do that, I would still be working front desk and always wonder if I could have achieved my goals and become a teacher.”

Describe your experiences finding the college that was right for you.

“I began calling different colleges for information…I was always getting transferred, leaving messages, and never getting called back. It was extremely frustrating. I just thought the task was bigger than I was. My mom saw some literature on Nevada State College and she said I should check out the school. When I called NSC I was able to get an appointment right away. The Dean sat down with me and literally went through the entire course catalog and she assured me that this was possible. All of the sudden it was as if this new world opened up to me.”

How did the professors at Nevada State College help inspire you along the way?

“I had instructors that were so willing to help me. I would call on my teachers to ask how should I approach certain things and they were always there for me. I have an incredible amount of respect and love for them.”

Describe the moments as you gave your final presentation for your degree in education?

“When I made my final presentation, my entire family was there rooting me on. I couldn’t believe that I had finally made it to that point and that I had reached my goal. My kids are really proud of me. My older son is so proud to tell his friends that his mom is a teacher and that she is doing something in her life that is making a difference in the world.”

How will you measure your success as a teacher?

“I will measure success 20 years from now when I have the opportunity hopefully to run into one of my students and see that they are making a difference in this world, no matter what it is they have decided to go into. To have them come to me and say, “Mrs. Neilson, you made an impact in my life and you helped inspire me to get to this point. That to me would be the biggest success I could ever imagine.”