SHARON Sweet, businesswoman, mother and wife is a reminder that reaching for your dream, no matter how far it may seem from your current circumstances, is something anyone can do.
Speaking to Berea Mail, Sharon shared how a terrible crime a few years ago, which almost cost her her business and financial security, turned out to be the reality check she needed to remember to follow her dream of becoming a teacher.
“I had lost so much and was under such financial stress that I saw a psychologist who asked me something that changed my life. He asked me what was my biggest regret in life? I paused and the first thing that came to mind was: I have always wanted to become a teacher!” When the psychologist asked what had stopped her, she had a ready list of “excuses” which included: “I do not have a matric, I don't have the time, I am too busy, I have a family, I work, I am too old, I'm past my sell by date, I could never do it, I just cannot afford it.”
The 40-plus mum of two teenage boys went to the Embury institute of Teacher Education to register. Sharon had to tell them she didn't have a matric and added that she was told she qualified by age to study. However, she was told it was not possible to register without a matric pass. “Eventually I was asked to hand in the forms and never thought I'd hear from them again but received a call to come in the following day,” she said.
Nervous, she warily walked into the lecture room with a class full of teenagers fresh out of school. “Everyone thought I was the lecturer and stepped aside, I just smiled and sat in the front row amidst the side glances and whispers,” she recalled laughing. One of the young students asked if Sharon was here with her daughter, to which she replied,”I'm here for myself…I am following my dream, I should have done this long ago.” Sharon said it didn't take long for her fellow students to accept her and she realised then, that age was just a number.”
Sharon, also known as “Mum” to her student friends has since been voted into Embury's SRC, and this year she was elected as SRC president. “I am incredibly blessed and love what I do. Besides getting married and having my children, this has got to be the happiest four years of my life. It's not easy and there is a lot of juggling. My boys come first but then its all my studies, but my husband and family have been really supportive. I remember being so proud when I got my student card, I showed my boys and my eldest son said, “Mum I won't go around flashing that, people may mistake it for your pensioner card! you have to love children!” she laughed.
Sharon received the Top Achiever award in her first year, which she says is one of her proudest moments. “I've never won an award in my life. I was so emotional, Embury has given me so much in my life, and even given me the opportunity to travel overseas as an exchange student to Norway. While in Norway I saw the Northern lights, tried skiing, dog sledging, experienced ice on the pavements and snow storms.”
After almost four years of hard work, juggling a business, two teenage sons, a husband and being a full time student, Sharon advises others to follow their passion and dream. “Next time you think you've missed the boat, you are too old to fulfill your dream, think again, it isn't easy, but it is worth it. If I can do it, you can too, I will be heading into the classroom at 50 and I am super excited, because I would have reached my dream of becoming a teacher!”
