Whether reciting the alphabet or dissecting Shakespeare, many teachers pursue careers in education to realize the rewards of giving students skills they can independently use for the rest of their lives. In the course of one school day, an educator may act as tutor, entertainer, counselor and reassuring friend to effectively communicate with students.

Drawing on personal experience, Lawanta Ramsey, teacher of web design, video production and animation at Meridian Technology, describes her circuitous and uncommon career path to motivate her students, the Stillwater News Press reports.

With poor standardized test scores and no money for higher education, Ramsey worked for 15 years toward a bachelor's degree while working as a secretary at the Oklahoma State University and raising four children.

Through the lengthy process, Ramsey says she was motivated by experiences she had with bad teachers and the complementary desire to make school a more positive experience for others.

Today, Ramsey teaches web design, video production and animation to high school students and adults at Meridian Technology. A 13-year veteran, she was recently honored as the 2008-2009 Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education Teacher of the Year.

"If you have heart and you have a desire to go somewhere, you can," she said.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 479,000 new teacher positions will be created by 2016.