Deb Bartraw

As I embark on this new journey of learning, I have found myself reflecting on my life to this point. I have been thinking of how proud my dad probably is of me....for he had always hoped I would become an educator. My dad was a teacher/principal for 35 years and prided himself on the role he played in the future of so many students. He had always hoped that one of his own children would follow his same path of education. When it came time for me to decide, although my dad visibly disappointed, he supported me in a career in dental hygiene. As my career began, I realized that an integral part of my job was patient education, and this became the aspect that I most enjoyed. I decided then that I would love to further my education and one day work in a public health setting or educational institution, whereby education would be my professional focus. With many detours over the years....getting married, having two children, getting divorced, getting re-married, gaining a child, losing a child and having another child....I am finally here!

There was a point in the journey where I wasn't sure if I could even get up in the morning, least of all focus on my initial goal of becoming an educator. Eight years ago, after an 18 month battle with leukemia I lost my daughter, Alyssa. She was six. There I was, 35 years old with no ambition other than to get out of bed each morning. A personality trait that had often been criticized in the past became my salvation.... practicality. Really, who did I think was going to take care of my other two children while I wallowed in self-pity? I would look at them everyday and see the hope and excitement about life that still radiated in their eyes. I realized then that I needed to continue to be their role model. Even though I was unsure that happiness still existed, I would make them believe it did! My children showed me how to live again and before I knew it I was blessed with another baby, Ellie HOPE Marie. She gave us all hope that good things would continue to come our way even in the face of darkness. Thus, I began to work again, dream again, hope again. In September 2012, I was offered a job at the College of the Rockies as an Instructor in the Dental Assistant Program. I have loved the past 3 years!

I have now completed 6 courses in the PIDP and am excited for the new challenge of learning in the 3260 course.