Title: Educator

Company: Chautauqua Learn and Serve Charter School

Location: Panama City, Fla.

Ms. Joan Payelle has served as a supervisor in obstetrics and also worked in home health care and hospices. After retiring from nursing in 1997, she started working with special needs students and served as an Americorps Vista for three years. As any nurse, she was put in many crises and God was always with her and helped her to make the right decisions and she gives her thanks to God.

A significant event that stands out in Ms. Payelle mind was in the delivery room when she was delivering twins. The first twin arrived without a problem, the second twin came breach. A doctor was standing at the door, but she was still a little nervous. Everything went fine and afterward a nurse anesthetist said to her, ‘Boy! You were sure saying your prayers.’ Ms. Payelle said, ‘No, I was repeating the book’s procedure. I knew God was with me.’

Although she has enjoyed all of her working experiences, the most rewarding work started after 2000. She didn’t have a reason to get out of bed and was suffering from a depression that was progressively getting worse. Her daughter had just returned from Canada and asked her to do crafts at school with high school special needs young adults. She started with only a few days a week and progressed into becoming a substitute as well as a volunteer.

A wonderful teacher also helped Ms. Payelle to become an AmeriCorp Vista volunteer in a learn and serve project at the University of Florida. She felt very proud to be one and the three years she served flew by quickly. She took her para Educator test and passed and is still active on the staff and volunteering. She feels that the main reason that anyone should choose what they do is to have a deep passion for their profession. In the coming years, she hopes to still able to be with the same group at Chautauqua Learn and Serve Charter School.