As the economy deteriorated in 2009, Bryan Robinson, now 41, a supervisor at a local aluminum industry, knew layoffs were a real possibility.
“I remember making the comment to people that if I lost my job, I would go back to college to become a middle school teacher,” Bryan said.
In April of that same year Bryan was laid off. While he had joked with co-workers about going back to school, facing the reality of being unemployed was intimidating. But at the same time the opportunity to start a new career was exciting.
“I went to college out of high school not really having an idea what I wanted to do with my life,” Bryan said. “I spent time at Owensboro Community & Technical College and spent a year at Western Kentucky University without ever settling on a career path.”
He and his wife, Crissy, married in 1993, at which point Bryan entered the work force. Over the next 16 years he worked for various industries in the area. In those 16 years Bryan and his wife have also raised two children, Grant and Emma.
While his life seemed comfortable, Bryan felt a “growing desire to teach.”
“I believe that it is something I have been called to do,” Bryan said. “When I lost my job, my wife and I both prayed about what path I should take and felt led that teaching is what God wanted for me.”
Bryan chose to attend WKU-Owensboro, a local institution that offered the degree program he was looking for. Bryan wasted no time, starting school in the summer of 2009. Two years and 67 credit hours later, Bryan graduated in May of 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education.
“I think the entire experience of going back has been a blessing in my life,” Bryan said.“Obviously, receiving my degree means the world to me.“
More than anything, Bryan thanks his family for their tremendous support and excitement for hischance to return to school. He especially thanks his wife for her sacrifices.
“During this time the financial burden of supporting our family fell to Crissy,” Bryan said. “She took on more responsibility within her company and has been able to take care of our family. She has been amazing.”
Always stressing the need for his children to do well in school, Bryan saw an additional benefit of his return to college.
“I think for my children to see me working and studying at home was a great example of what they should also be doing and of what they can expect when they get to college,” Bryan said.
Whether to his own children or those children in his future classroom, Bryan wants to make a difference in the lives’ of students. He also hopes his story can help other displaced workers or fathers returning to school.
“Losing a job is not the end of the world,” Bryan said. “It might be tough for a while, but there are options out there. It does take a lot of work and discipline. My option was going back to get a degree.”