05/22/2026
"For many years, my identity was rooted in being a mom to my own children and to the many foster children who became part of our family along the way. When we later adopted two of those children, motherhood became not just a role I played but the lens through which I viewed purpose, perseverance, and service. Helping kids feel safe, supported, and capable was simply part of everyday life.
“When our family moved to a small lakeside town of just 400 people for my husband's job, that season of transition created space for reflection and growth. Surrounded by a slower pace of life and fully embracing my role as a crazy chicken lady, I began to see how my experiences at home translated naturally into the classroom. I also became very aware that my own kids, two adopted and two biological, were watching how I handled change and chased meaningful work.
“Enter my mentor teacher, who was not subtle in the least. She was very pushy in the best possible way and repeatedly reminded me that I was way too smart and far too good at my job not to pursue teaching. Thanks to her persistence, I enrolled at Western Governors University to complete my bachelor's degree and later continued on to earn my Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, all while balancing farm life, family life, and coursework supervised by three dogs, a cat, and chickens who showed zero respect for deadlines.
“One of the most meaningful moments of this journey came when I graduated with my bachelor's degree in the same year my son graduated from Texas A&M with his. During his college journey, he also became a father, making me a Mawmaw and adding an entirely new layer of motivation, pride, and joy to everything I was working toward.
“None of this would have been possible without my husband's unwavering support, from moving our family across the map to keeping everything running during late-night study sessions and busy seasons of life. With his support and driven by the example I wanted to set for my children, I became a special education life skills teacher, using my love of helping others to support students in building independence, confidence, and real-world skills.
“Now that I have graduated with my master's degree, I am proud of the journey that began with motherhood and has grown into a career rooted in advocacy and service. And while I dream of one day retiring somewhere warm by the beach, I know I will still keep a few chickens close by, because giving up my colorful egg collection entirely would be asking too much."
Tiffany H. turned her love for helping others into a career that changes lives. Congratulations on this meaningful milestone!
