Education Student’s Master's Degree Was 35 Years in the Making
December 06, 2019
"You just don't quit," said Teranda D. Kearney-Skinner, who first enrolled at Old Dominion University in 1984. Photo David Hollingsworth/ODU
By Megan Shearin
For many students, the traditional route of enrolling in college full-time and graduating in four years is not obtainable due to complicated life needs. Instead, earning a degree often becomes a learning journey comprised of highs and lows, testing the inner grit and determination of an individual.
Teranda D. Kearney-Skinner, 53, is all too familiar the learning journey many nontraditional students face today. But thanks to Old Dominion University's Teacher in Residency Program - a highly selective program to prepare teachers - Skinner will graduate in December with her master's degree with teaching licensure in K-12 general curriculum.
The accelerated program places teachers in high-needs schools in critical subject areas such as math, science and special education. Students are also placed in the classroom alongside a skilled clinical residency coach.
It has taken Skinner 35 years to complete her learning journey, and the road has been filled with what she describes as "hills and valleys."
"I kept hitting walls when I was trying to finish my bachelor's degree," Skinner said. "But I told myself to never give up. You just don't quit."
A mother of five, Skinner enrolled at ODU in 1984. For almost a decade, she worked for her mom, who owned a business that provided programming for youths who had failed a grade twice or more. When the business closed, she dabbled in the medical field before coming back to education.
In 2007, Skinner finished paying off her student loans and decided it was time to go back to school and finish her degree. In 2010, she started taking one or two classes at a time at ODU while working full-time as a para teacher for Norfolk Public Schools.
Skinner said completing the internship to graduate with her bachelor's degree was a sticking point.
"As a single parent I thought, 'how am I going to do this?'" she said.
When she heard about the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies' teacher residency program - which provides tuition and a stipend for students while they complete required coursework and their student teaching requirement - Skinner said it was a done deal.
Now, she's implementing the Autism Program in grades 9-12 at Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk. Skinner, with the help of two para educators, work with nine students while collaborating with roughly two dozen teachers.
Looking back on her experience, Skinner chuckles when she reflects on her classes and her new career.
"All of CJ Butler's class in classroom and behavior management came to a head that first week," Skinner said. "I used what I learned in class from the moment I began."
Butler, who has taught special education courses at ODU for 22 years, said the field is immensely rewarding for those with a passion to serve individuals with disabilities.
"I was immediately impressed with Teranda's commitment and enthusiasm," said Butler, a master lecturer in the department of communication disorders and special education. "Teranda continued to demonstrate those same qualities throughout the entire course and into her own classroom."
Skinner described graduating from ODU as "a dream come true." When asked what motivated her to keep going despite the challenges she faced, Skinner doesn't hesitate with her reply.
"I was determined for myself and for my children that no matter what obstacle I faced I would keep going," she said.
"You never give up."
