Dee Hudgens graduated in May 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Science; two weeks later she was back in school working towards her Masters and teacher certification.

“I had always wanted to be like my uncle and work for the Juvenile Justice System. But by the time I graduated, I was married with one child and decided this was not the time to pursue that career. So, I decided to pursue my second love: teaching.”

Dee says that the University System of Georgia’s Destination Teaching program was the perfect way for her to step onto her new career path. “I knew I wanted to teach but I didn’t want to start all over again. The Destination Teaching program showed me how I could earn my teacher certification and get a master’s degree at the same time.”

After teaching middle school science and social studies this past year, Dee says she knows she made the right choice. “I enjoy teaching even more than I thought I would. When you see the satisfaction on the children’s faces -- when they’ve mastered something -- it is the best feeling. And, equally, when the parents come to the school and see what their children are doing and are impressed, I feel like I have really accomplished something important.”

 Dee says that she has no doubt that she will succeed in earning her certification and degree, but also admits that it isn’t easy. “It’s hard being a parent, working and going to school at the same time. You have to stay motivated and make every minute count.”  Yet despite the exhausting schedule, Dee says that she would encourage other working parents to pursue a career in teaching. “I want them to know: you can have a family and still do it. In the end, it’s worth the work.”