1. Introduction Mary Oliver Hello Classmates, My name is Mary Oliver I currently live in Woodbridge, Virginia. I lived here for 4 and a half years lived in Columbus, Ohio for twenty years and born and raised in the Bronx, NY. I have two adults my son who is engaged and about to have my second grandson and my daughter who is married to a wonderful guy and they have my first grandson who I call my Peanut Butter!!

2. Professional background and personal Interest I started working for the government in 1985 as a clerk typist working in the files after 3 months I became secretary for a supervisor 30 subordinates which I handle typing, keeping time for payroll and typing overtime request and completion. In 1990 my job relocated in Columbus, Ohio and I moved with them to provide a better life for my who was now 11 yrs old. After moving to Columbus I had my son and was promoted to Accounting Technician.

3. Professional background continued As a Accounting Technician I first worked in the reconciliation department where I paid claims made by the government (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) for purchases for equipment, furniture, office supplies and travel for temporary duty and permanent duty change of station. It was my job to make sure claims were paid correctly to right accounting lines and dollar amount to be paid is correct. If something was done incorrectly it had to be forwarded back to paying office for corrections. Claims came in blocks and had to be reconciled and he had to balance out before block can be closed.

4. Professional background continued I then transfer to the travel department where I paid PCS (Permanent Change of Duty Station) travel claims. Claims consist of enroute travel, House hunting trips, temporary quarters, house hold goods move, Real estate purchase and sell and a wide range of other entitlements that have to be paid according to government rules and regulations. It was my job to make sure that orders were processed correctly, proper signatures and authorization on orders due to government standards and back up documents attached before claim could be paid. It was my responsibility to contact point of contact for authorizing agency and traveler of corrections or documents needed before claim can be processed.

5. Personal Interest Not sure what you I'm supposed to put here but my personal interest out side of work and this is I like meeting people, going places and learning new things. I Love God!! Going to Church!! I love spending time with my Grandson!! I Love My kids who are not kids any more!! So My main interest now is living life, be the best I can be and try to make a difference in as many lives as I can while enjoying Life.

6. k-12 & experience that influence life Public School K-10 K-8 in a (A class). In H. S. it was overwhelming so by the time I got to the 10 th grade I decided to get my G. E. D.. When I was 17 I was pregnant and right before 18 I had my daughter. She was the biggest influence in my life. For my children I strive for better, the motivate me to be the best that I can be. Most of all I wanted to be a good mom. Now that I have adults it is my time for me and do all the things that I always wanted to accomplish. That is what brought me to Ashford and their on line program.

7. Degree, Type Job & Master’s Impact I am going for my MAED, I want to work with children even families in helping, guidance. I am open to any position where I can be helpful. I really like to work with children at risk. I like helping people overcome. I really have no experience in education but with my Bachelor degrees one in Operational Management and Public Administration and the fact that I want to work with children Master’s in Education was a good choice being that many of the classes involve working with children and their families. Having a Master’s degree can open more doors for me.

8. My personal thought on Education “Everyone can be educated, they may learn differently and they may have limits on what they can learn but there is always something for each individual to learn. We have to take time to find what works for them not for us.” I believe this after my son being kicked out of school in kindergarten and labeled with all these defiance. I was told that he was never going to learn anything amongst other things. He graduated with a 3.5 gpa and will be attending The Art Institute in Arlington starting 4/6. My little sister has cerebral palsy never be able to do anything but b a vegetable. She learned how to walk, how to tell you what she wants. She sign language for drink and anything else she can take you to it or bring it to you to let you know. She know she should be clean, when she supposed to leave the house. Her schedule.