Kimberly has worked in education for many years, but in August 2020, she lost her job due to Covid-19 budget cuts, and she has been working part-time as a consultant and as a substitute teacher/art teacher. Over the past year, she has had the opportunity to create lesson plans and teach K-5 visual arts, and has now realized that becoming an art teacher is her calling and passion. When Kimberly was young, her elementary art teacher made a significant impact in her life, and was there for her when she needed a hero and role model. Kimberly struggled in school and she supported her success. She cared about her and helped her to realize that she was she a good artist, and also taught her to believe in herself. Kimberly wants to honor her art teacher, pay it forward and teach kids to overcome and be resilient. Because she is a non-traditional student, she will need to take a course through The Ohio University's Alternative Resident Educator Institute to become a licensed art teacher in Ohio. Taking this course will set her up for success and it will allow her to get the licensing to get a full-time job with benefits. This course will change her career trajectory and allow her to not only fulfill her passion to teach art, but also to set herself in a career that will give her the ability to support her and her son comfortably.