Employee Testimonials - Paraeducator

Josephine

Josephine arrived in the United States from her native country of Nigeria in 1997. She originally came to the U.S. to attend her brother's wedding, but decided to stay. With fifteen years of experience as an elementary and junior high teacher in Nigeria, a career in the field of education was a natural fit for her. Josephine joined the Heartspring family in September of 2000, working each shift in the homes and classrooms over the years.

Josephine had not worked with students with special needs in Nigeria because, as she shares, "most kids with disabilities are kept at home in Nigeria." She added that, "kids with special needs have much more opportunities here than in Nigeria. This is a good difference."

Josephine began her career in the classroom setting. “At the onset, I was faced with one of the most challenging students. I wondered if I could do this. But because of my experience, patience and endurance I was able to conquer my fears,” she said.

Josephine has had the opportunity to work with many students over the years. She says her life has been touched by each and every one of them, and that this bond keeps her at Heartspring.

“Heartspring is a place where you can make a difference in the lives of other people,” she says. “We laugh together and we feel each other’s pain. I have learned that life is full of ups and downs.”

Josephine shares in Heartspring’s vision of making education available to children with special needs accessible to even the most remote parts of the world. It is her wish that one day students with special needs will have the same opportunities and education in Nigeria that students have here in the United States … because every child deserves a chance.

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