Patricia Nieves:  

Life In my senior year, at Durrett I was in love and inspired to go to college. My counselor, Ms. Fowler, told me, "You are not college material my dear." Both of my parents were high school dropouts, and my grades were low, but it was the year of Romeo and Juliet and I believed anything was possible. Besides, I was 17 and the sky was the limit! Against all odds, I was accepted at Eastern Kentucky University, paying my way without any financial help. until I was able to obtain financial aid. I partied hardy and was asked to leave because I never went to class. Imagine that! However, years later with God as my inspiration, I returned to college in Miami and I graduated with high honors from Florida International University with a degree in Exceptional Student Education. I have been an ESE educator of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders for the past 30 years with one of my former students graduating from college as a Japanese animator. W...Expand for more