A single dad has been praised for going back to school and getting an impressive master’s degree while also balancing multiple jobs.
In May, Desmond Durham from New Jersey graduated from Montclair State University, securing his master’s degree in arts and educational leadership.
While it is a remarkable accomplishment, the father has opened up to Good Morning America about the difficulties of balancing his late-night studies with his three jobs, all while taking care of his son.
“My schedule was very demanding, from waking up between 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and ensuring that my son was fed, and his homework was completed. I probably didn’t go to bed until 12 a.m., maybe 1 a.m. every night, just to wake back up and do it all over again,” he told the outlet.
Durham has been working as an educator for the past 13 years and is the only sibling out of seven to graduate from college.
He shared that between working his multiple jobs and being a single father to his nine-year-old son, Desmond Jr., he was reluctant to return to school and secure his degree.
However, he knew that his hard work would be motivating to his son, saying: “It will ultimately change my life, my son’s life, and I can be able to impact the kids on a greater scale.”
The outstanding graduate did so well in his program that he was even asked to give a commencement speech to the College of Education and Human Services and the College of Science and Mathematics. As of this writing, the speech has since been viewed over 14K times on YouTube.
During his speech, Durham spoke about how his mother – who was a single parent to him and his seven siblings – was the first person to introduce him to his love of learning.
He also revealed that his father was murdered when he was only 11, and how the tragedy impacted his life growing up and his career choices.
“[My father’s] absence from my life has only motivated me to become the best father figure to my son and a role model to all of the students that I encounter in my teaching career,” Durham said during his speech.
Durham admitted that while in school he would often think about his son, his mother, and the reason why he wanted to go back to get his master’s, adding: “Every single day, I had to remind myself that it’s a short-term sacrifice for a long-term goal.”
He now uses his position as a well-loved teacher in the community to offer advice to students or people thinking about going back to school.
“Find something that you love that’s going to help you ignite that flame to keep going,” Durham insisted. “You have to know why you do what you do and as long as you know your ‘why’ it’s gonna drive you every single day.”
Congratulations to Durham on his achievement!
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