I often ask myself what is the success of a person. Is it a one-time triumph, the achievement of a goal, or is it the ultimate reward? I think people should pursue their dreams all their lives, even when they seemingly put them on pause and devote themselves to caring for their loved ones. And maybe only then do they get a second chance to realize their cherished plans by continuing to help others, and that is the real achievement. I tell this story as a woman who has waited many years to realize her childhood dream and finally understands the meaning of success.
I remember playing school was my favorite thing to do with my two younger sisters as kids. On weekends and vacations, we would take a makeshift blackboard out into the yard almost every day, and I would stand in front of it, pointer in hand, and teach lessons to the neighborhood kids and my sisters. Old notebooks were adapted into notebooks, and I dutifully scribbled in them the examination marks of my untutored pupils. I learned to read and write on my own and dreamed of being a teacher when I grew up. I was an excellent and diligent student, but right after graduating from high school I met my future husband, whom I love very much, and faced the dilemma of whether to marry or continue my studies. In my youth, I didn’t realize I could combine the two.
More than two decades had to pass before fate gave me a second chance to achieve and even build on my childhood dreams. After I got married and my eldest son was born, I devoted myself to taking care of home and family. Year after year passed, and I had neither the time nor the courage to enroll to study anymore. I changed several jobs where I did not feel satisfied. Then I decided to start a private business and open a clothing store in Nessebar. In the beginning I was very enthusiastic, working for myself and meeting people of different nationalities and backgrounds every day. But the rents for retail space in the resort town were too high and it wasn’t long before I had to close the shop.
One day I learned that they were going to appoint an educational mediator at the school in Rouen where I had graduated and where I lived with my family. I applied and was approved for the position. This was a turning point for me. I worked there for a year and then I moved to the same position in the kindergarten and I have been there for 4 years now. I feel happy and fulfilled in this place because I am around children. Earning their pure love is an amazing feeling that fuels you with the desire to give your best every day. Over time, however, I realized that I didn’t feel fulfilled because I wasn’t working with children as a teacher and educator. We also have children with special educational needs in our groups, but we don’t have a resource teacher. This made me think again about the missed chance I had at the time to follow, but fate had prepared a surprise for me.
During a routine training I met Lalo Kamenov and Spaska Mihaylova from the New Path Association. From them I found out that I could apply to university on their project and that I could enroll in “Special Pedagogy” if I was approved. I decided to apply even though I am now 42 years old. It felt like that second chance that is being handed to me as a gift and I should not miss it in any case. I thought to myself that my whole life and professional path had led me to this very moment and that I now knew how I could be most useful to the pupils in our kindergarten. I cannot describe what I felt when Spaska called to tell me that I had been accepted to study Special Education. I was speechless with happiness. Now I am a first year student at the University of Burgas “Asen Zlatarov”.
Thanks to Spaska and Lalo, the hope that one day I could be a full-fledged teacher was reawakened. They gave me not only the opportunity I had been looking for for many years, but also the belief in myself that I could handle the studies. To me, they are truly successful people because they help others develop. In turn, I hope to one day be that teacher who gives my students the skills to be the best version of themselves and make their goals come true. Being one step away from realizing my dream is a great feeling. As Roosevelt said, “Believe you can, and you’ve gone halfway to success.”
