Debra Weldon finished her first full marathon in 2014, and three years later she began a new race, pursuing her master’s degree in Educational Psychology — School Psychometry through UA Online.
Weldon is a special education teacher in her school district in Deatsville, Alabama. She first learned about school psychometry while sitting in on eligibility and reevaluation meetings for her students. After a Google search of school psychometry programs in the state of Alabama, Weldon came across UA’s blended program. A long-time Bama fan, earning a degree from The University of Alabama was a dream she’d thought about often.
“I really loved the way this program was designed,” said Weldon. “We were in a cohort for our classes, which meant I got to really interact with my classmates during the few times we came to Tuscaloosa for classes.”
Weldon credits her classes and professors with teaching her new research-backed methods that helped her better understand her own students. She earned her undergraduate education degree 10 years before, so the new information from the program was helpful to her in her current role, and it has also brought her career advancement. After graduating from the program in May, she was offered a job as a school psychometrist in her district, which she will start in the fall.
“There was a lot of new information that I wasn’t aware of, and to learn at Alabama was a great opportunity,” said Weldon.
Weldon was drawn to special education because of her younger brother Raymond who was born with Down syndrome. Raymond passed away at 13, when Weldon was a junior in high school. She said Raymond, along with her experience working with special needs students in her high school, pushed her into her current field.
Raymond has not only inspired her toward this career path, but in her hobbies as well. Weldon ran her first marathon, the St. Jude’s Memphis Marathon, in honor of her brother. She continued to run multiple races a year on top of managing schoolwork and a full-time job, all with the support of her husband and her parents. All distance students are eligible to walk in the on-campus graduation ceremony, and Weldon enjoyed being able to come to campus and participate — especially so that her dad, who is currently battling cancer, could see her receive her diploma.
“Even as a distance student, I always felt like part of the University family,” said Weldon. “I really would encourage anyone to do this who has the interest.”
Post-graduation, Weldon is ready to start another race with her new job, her family still cheering her on from the sidelines.
Published: August 30th, 2020