Desmond Durham, a single father from New Jersey, has received praise for his remarkable feat of earning a master’s degree while holding multiple jobs.
A single father who managed to work multiple jobs and return to school has been honored for earning an exceptional master’s degree.
Desmond Durham, a New Jersey resident, earned a master’s degree in arts and education from Montclair State University in May.
While that’s a tremendous feat, the parent spoke to Good Morning America about the challenges he’s had juggling three jobs, studying at night, and caring for his child.
My schedule was quite demanding, requiring me to get up between 5 and 6 in the morning to make sure my child ate and completed schoolwork. Every night I probably didn’t go to sleep until 12 or 1 am only to wake up and repeat the process, he told a media source.
The only sibling of the seven to graduate from college is Durham, who has been a teacher for the past 13 years.
He admitted that he was reluctant to go back to school and finish his degree because he was working multiple jobs and being a single parent to his nine-year-old son, Desmond Jr.
However, he was confident that his efforts would inspire his son, telling them that “ultimately, it will change my life, my son’s life, and I will be able to impact children on a larger scale.”
The exceptional graduate did so well in the course that he was even asked to give the commencement speech at the Colleges of Science and Mathematics and Education and Humanities. The speech subsequently received over 14,000 views on YouTube at the time of writing.
Durham has said that his love of studying was initially brought to him by his mother, who raised him and his seven siblings as a single parent.
He also revealed that his father was killed when he was just 11 years old and how the tragedy affected his upbringing and career decisions.
Durham said during his speech that “[my father’s] absence from my life has only motivated me to be the best father figure for my son and a role model for all the students I encounter in my teaching career.”
Durham said he often thought about his mother, his son, and the reason he wanted to go back to school for his master’s degree while he was in school, adding, “Every day I had to remind myself that this is a short-term sacrifice. for a long-term goal.”
He now provides guidance to students or those considering returning to school, using his status as a popular teacher in the community.
Durham stressed, “Find something you love to help light that flame to keep it going.” You need to understand the motivation behind your actions because it will motivate you every day if you are aware of it.
As a respected teacher in his community, Durham now uses his position to provide advice and guidance to students and individuals considering a return to education. Drawing from his own experience, he emphasizes the importance of finding a passion that ignites the flame of motivation. Understanding your “why” serves as a powerful driving force in overcoming challenges and pursuing goals.
Desmond Durham’s incredible success is a testament to his resilience, hard work, and unwavering commitment to his personal and professional growth. By overcoming numerous obstacles, he set an inspiring example for his son, his students, and the wider community. Congratulations to Desmond Durham on his outstanding achievement which will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on his life and the lives of those he affects.
Durham deserves congratulations for his performance!