# data[].attributes.body
I was born in Culpeper, VA to Kay and Russell Corbin. To my parents’ surprise, I was born two months early. This has been a consistent theme in my life – I always show up to both professional and personal events early. I’ve never been known for being tardy.

# data[].attributes.body
My parents enrolled me in Culpeper Christian School. Due to health issues, I started school later than my peers. I have very fond memories of my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Bussenger. I remember learning to read on a colorful rug surrounded by my classmates. I don’t recall which book we were reading when it “clicked”, but I remember the excitement of comprehending the words on the page in front of me.

# data[].attributes.body
My younger brother Mathew (yes, spelled with one “t” so he would never be called “Matt”) was born in Charlottesville, VA. He was born with a severe form of Cerebral Palsy (CP), which impacted his mobility for the remainder of his life. I remember meeting and holding him in the hospital. Mathew finally came home from the hospital in June.

# data[].attributes.body
It was my first day of second grade – it was a busy summer. We had a lot of nurses and physical therapists visiting the house to see how my brother was doing. I was jealous, not fully understanding why my brother required so much attention and care.  I was tired a lot – he had monitors that went off throughout the night.

# data[].attributes.body
I was wrapping up fourth grade. It had been a very rough year, both academically and socially. In retrospect, I was dealing with a lot and didn’t know how to ask for help. Based on this, my teacher and parents’ felt it would be best to have me repeat the fourth grade. I was devastated – I was also told by another teacher that children who attend public school will go to Hell. My parents were irate and disturbed by what I was told – they made it clear that I would not be attending that school any longer.

# data[].attributes.body
We moved from Amissville, VA to Reva, VA – a small rural town about ninety minutes from Washington, DC. I loved our new home but missed living next door to my grandmother. It was a ranch-style home that could easily accommodate my brother’s wheelchair.

# data[].attributes.body
Entered fourth grade at Criglersville Elementary School. I had an amazing teacher, Mrs. Dwyer, who was incredibly patient and kind. Life was less stressful in our new home – I flourished both academically and socially.

# data[].attributes.body
Entered sixth grade at Wetsel Middle School. I felt incredibly out of place – I was noticeably older than my fellow classmates and extremely awkward. The next two years would be rough. I realized I was gay – this was a frightening realization in my small conservative town.

I skipped school a lot. I came out to my school counselor who was an ally and confidant. I spent weeks reviewing resources on the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) website to start a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at my middle/high school. When the principal found out about this, she threatened to have me expelled for starting a “gang”. My guess is that she threatened to fire the guidance counselor as well. We both felt defeated – I had not come out to my parents yet and didn’t tell them till after I graduated from high school. Hearing about this experience broke their hearts.

# data[].attributes.body
Entered Madison County High School. High school was an overall amazing experience. By this point I had come out to my family and friends. Overall, they were very supportive. I was bullied a bit in high school for being gay but was fortunate to have classmates who supported and most importantly protected me.

# data[].attributes.body
Based on my grades and standardized test scores, I was able to complete my first Dual Enrollment World History course for college credit in my junior year of high school.

# data[].attributes.body
Completed my standard high school requirements early – my high school awarded two diplomas at the time of graduation, standard and advanced. My guidance counselor marked my plan of study as advanced. I was able to attend the local community college my senior year of high school, completing a total of eighteen college credits at my time of graduation.

# data[].attributes.body
I graduated from Madison County High School

# data[].attributes.body
Enrolled in my local community college. Planned to stay there for two years or so before transferring into university. The community college had an admissions agreement with the University of Virginia, where I planned to attend.

# data[].attributes.body
Felt as if college was a continuation of high school – same house, same students, and the same faculty from my senior year of high school. Applied and accepted to American University.

# data[].attributes.body
Enrolled at American University as an Economics major. In retrospect, I had not found myself and was mimicking my peers.

# data[].attributes.body
Declared an Elementary Education major. I excelled in the coursework. I had finally found my calling.

# data[].attributes.body
My parents had a lot of financial expenses for my brother’s care. I felt extreme guilt and transferred to the University of Mary Washington for in-state tuition. It wasn’t a terrible school but had a very different atmosphere from American. I did well overall and took several courses in Business Administration. However, I hated it.

# data[].attributes.body
A former supervisor from a work study position encouraged me to apply for a full-time job at American. I would be able to complete my degree at American without incurring additional debt. I got an apartment in DC and started working full-time in August.

# data[].attributes.body
I started taking classes while working full-time at American.

# data[].attributes.body
My little brother unexpectedly passed away – complications from a surgery earlier in the year. We were all devastated – I was registered for 3 classes while working full-time. Fortunately, I had been doing very well in my coursework. I accepted whatever final grades I had earned by November and took a Leave of Absence for the remainder of the term.

# data[].attributes.body
I graduated from American University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies.

# data[].attributes.body
Moved to Philadelphia for a job opportunity at Drexel University. As my husband is from the city, it immediately felt like home.

# data[].attributes.body
Started working at the University of Pennsylvania. I planned to utilize the tuition benefits to earn a graduate degree. However, none of the programs available for staff really resonated with me. I’ve enjoyed my positions at the University but have always felt a pull towards being in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
Enrolled our son in the local public elementary school when he moved to Philadelphia, PA. We loved our son’s teacher but wanted him to be in a school with a smaller class size. In retrospect, I see that this decision was based on my own educational experiences.

# data[].attributes.body
Enrolled our son in a private Friend’s school (4th and 5th grade). After two years, we decided to enroll our son in a school closer to home with a more traditional curriculum. The steady increase in tuition also motivated us to transfer our son out.

# data[].attributes.body
Enrolled our son in a private Catholic school (6th grade).

# data[].attributes.body
Enrolled in American University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. This was a difficult decision to make – I provided my employer with my resignation in June 2021. Fortunately, they created a position to keep me on part-time while I complete my graduate degree. I struggle with change at times, so leaving a full-time job to attend graduate school has had its challenges.