by Wendy A. Hoke

Do you remember why you entered your chosen profession? Was it to indulge a passion, for income potential or because it was expected of you? The good news is that it’s never too late to do what you love.

Education is the key. And sometimes a bit of distance and/or experience in the work world can give you a broader perspective on what drives you. This is the story of several Northeast Ohio families who are making the temporary sacrifices of time and money to improve their lot in life — whether it’s financial or simply to indulge career satisfaction. It’s not easy, but with organization, support and a touch of flexibility, these families are making education work on all levels.

Like many couples of their generation, Genny and Claudio Costanzo made a decision when they were first married that Genny would spend her days as the primary caregiver to their three children and the caretaker of their Broadview Heights home.

But she also knew deep down, like many mothers today, that she possessed a yearning for more — something all her own.

"I delved into my kids’ lives and their school, serving as room mom numerous times and being very involved with the parent teacher council," she says. Education has been the key to happiness in the Costanzos’ lives.

Claudio, originally a bricklayer, decided to go back to school to become a teacher. He was 26 when he went back and he finished at 28. For the past six years he’s been a history teacher at Nordonia High School.

He has since gone on to get his master’s degree in educational administration and needs four more classes to get an Ohio Principal Certificate. His commitment to youth extends beyond the classroom into the athletic field where he has coached varsity girls’ soccer and swimming.

"An average week is about 72 hours away from home," says Genny. It’s tough on the family, but the supplemental contracts are a nice added income.

Genny manages the household and works six hours a week – while the kids are in school – handling administrative work for a friend’s heating and cooling business. Once the kids (Morgan, 11; George, 8; and Cole, 5) all entered school she thought long and hard about what she wanted to do.

She did some career and personality testing, investigating counseling, teaching and even opening her own business, but decided to pursue a career as a paralegal. She enrolled in Cuyahoga Community College’s paralegal program, which was not only stimulating, but also affordable.

And so she began the school year with a bit of butterflies. "I walked up that sidewalk to Tri-C West and was so scared and so excited. But I knew it’s what I wanted to do," she says. "There comes a time when you have to take that first step and do it.

"I would love to jump in with both feet and take three classes at a time, but that’s not practical. By next year, Cole will be in kindergarten half days and I’ll be able to take more classes." She counts on her neighbor and nearby mother-in-law to help with the kids when she has class or needs to study.

"You feel so out of it at first. I’ve been home for 12 years and needed to exercise those muscles again," she says. The first step was taking the part-time job. "I needed it: to get dressed up, answer phones, type proposals and interact with the public. It helped to build up my confidence."

The kids understand and are pretty good about her new schedule, though she admits it took her about a month to say, "Okay, this is mom’s time to study." And she says she couldn’t do it without the support of Claudio. "He knows that this is my thing and it’s going to help us."

Being back in school has been an invigorating process, and she hopes it sets a good example for her children, especially her daughter. "Only maybe she’ll do it earlier," she says, laughing.

A Second Chance

Jennifer Hakko of Lakewood didn’t have the option of being home with her 18-year-old daughter, Jaclyn. As a single mother, she worked full-time in sales and marketing. But when she and her husband, Kevin, learned they were expecting Erika, now 4, she made the decision to stay home.

Hakko, who now attends Lorain County Community College (LCCC), is shifting gears completely.

"Cleveland State University (CSU) offers a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies that will allow me to combine my business background with my love of children’s studies," she says. "I’m very interested in early literacy and children’s literature. I’ll be able to combine my business background with preschool or daycare management," she says.

LCCC has a pay-by-the-hour childcare facility that allows Hakko to fit in classes on Monday and Wednesday afternoons without worrying about arranging alternative childcare for Erika. "We go to school together. When I’m in class, she’s in a wonderful class and is even learning French."

Hakko has tremendous support from her husband and has become something of a resource for her older daughter’s friends. "They will come to me for advice and I’ll help them understand the college routine," she says.

Last spring JoAnna Cox, a licensed social worker at Tremont Elementary, knew she might lose her job due to layoffs. With the help of counselors from the United Labor Agency, she is pursuing her special education certification through a federal grant program.

The single mom to a 7-year-old, Corey, is enrolled at Notre Dame College of Ohio and hopes to complete her classes and be certified by next August. The only downside is that two of her classes meet on Saturdays, one of the only full days she has to spend with Corey.

Fortunately, she moved back to her Glenville neighborhood, next door to her sister, who helps with Corey while she’s in school.

"Corey likes me being in school. He sees me studying and we’ll study together. But he does not like the fact that I’m unemployed right now," she says. But she explains to him that it’s temporary.

She plans to be an intervention specialist, which will allow her to work with children with special needs — either cognitive or behavior disabilities. She prefers to work with emotionally disturbed children since it combines her social work background with her special education certification.

Gloria and Daryl Knauss of Parma both started out as naturalists, but switched to education because of their love of teaching science.

Daryl is now in his 17^th year as a national board-certified chemistry and earth science teacher at Rocky River High School. His love of teaching extends beyond the classroom. He volunteers with the ski patrol, teaching outdoor emergency care and CPR, and teaches Bible study at his church.

Gloria left her work as an outdoor educator for a YMCA camp when they had their daughters — Rebecca, 8, and Megan, 7. She took a few years off while the girls were young, but this year decided to head back to CSU to get her master’s in education. "I want to be able to teach in the classroom. I enjoy being with kids and helping them learn in an active, hands-on way," she says.

So she balances serving on the school board of Bethany Lutheran School in Parma, being room mom and taking classes in the evenings and on weekends.

"We have a big calendar grid and everyone has their own line. Fortunately we have family and friends who jump in to help us out with picking up the girls from school or soccer practice," she says.

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