Forty-six-year-old Amanda-Jane McGroggan is an inspiration to all. Having suffered two life changing strokes that left her unable to walk or talk, she grabbed life with both hands and made the brave decision to leave her job as Learning Assistant in pursuit of her dream career. With determination, hard work and sheer resilience she relished the challenge juggling her busy home life with 6 children, study and a global pandemic to successfully complete her HNC in Childcare.
Speaking to Amanda-Jane she said, “I’d been working as a learning assistant for 18 years when I took 2 mini strokes which left me having to learn to walk and talk again. So, when I got better, I made the big decision to leave my job to study Childcare, something I’d always wanted to do.
As it had been such a long time since I’d studied, I knew it was going to be challenge especially on top of family life, but the lecturers were a great support.
‘I really enjoyed going into placement. Being able to put into practice with the children what I’d learned in class really cemented everything for me. The staff at my placement were brilliant and supported me throughout my time with them.”
Not wanting to let anything stand in her way of pursuing her dream of supporting children’s development and helping provide them with the best possible start, Amanda-Jane wasn’t going to let Covid or pneumonia set her back.
Amanda-Jane continued. “I took pneumonia and covid during the HNC course, but I was determined to do my best, so I continued to go to online for classes – it kept me focused.
I’m now working as Supply Childcare Worker for West Dunbartonshire Council which allows me to fit work around my family.
I’ve loved every minute of my time at college.
The support I got from my Lecturers, my placement and my class was outstanding and I have gained friends for life. My goal was to pass my graded unit which I achieved but to get the class award has just made me even more proud and I’ve made my family proud too.
‘If I can do this course any one can. If you have determination and a passion to work with children, you will do amazing. It’s been worth all the tears and laughter to achieve the HNC.”
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