Stories & Case Studies
Amanda Stone is a student at Roane State Community College, where she’s working toward an associate of applied science in computer information technology with a concentration on cyber defense. Stone completed her GED at 17 and later decided to pursue higher education when her son, who is autistic, was six. She spoke to ATD about her decision to start her educational journey again, her dreams for her family, and how Roane State supports her as she juggles motherhood and schoolwork.
Q&A
Q: Tell us about your education and parenthood journeys. What drove you to pursue higher education after your son was born?
A: Wanting to make a better and easier life for my son was the main reason I enrolled in school. I had thought about attending school for years, but I was always so afraid I would fail. When I was a child, my dad was in the Air Force and my mom was a nurse, so I never knew what it was like to struggle. Even when my mom died when I was seven, my dad was always able to make sure I had everything I needed. After I turned 18 and moved out on my own, I really understood what it is like to struggle, but it didn’t bother me because I had no one else to take care of.
When I had my son, I finally started to think of someone besides myself. I want to do the best I can for him and make sure he never has to go without the things he needs. I finally got over my fear and enrolled in school so I could try to make a better life for us. I am tired of trying to explain to my son why we can’t afford things; I am tired of him watching me count quarters for gas money. I want a job where I can use the skills I have learned to make a better life for us.
Q: What are your post-college hopes/plans?
A: I would love to find a job where I can do tech support for a small company, design web pages, or work with databases. My favorite classes have been HTML and Database Concepts. I love designing webpages, and I even won an award from my database class. Learning so much about computers and computer science has been really fun. It’s really been interesting learning how things work, and it’s a very helpful skill.
Q: What are some ways your college shows up for you to support your journey?
A: During my second semester, I was really struggling with an English essay. I had to cite a lot of sources, and I had to incorporate those sources into my essay. I decided to schedule an appointment with a tutor. My tutor was so helpful and told me that with my grades being so good, I could join organizations where I could network with other people, which would help me with jobs down the road. She made me feel so hopeful and excited. She was also an older student and made me feel like I belonged here at Roane State.
Q: What’s one thing you wish your professors and/or peers understood about being a parenting student — particularly a parent to a neurodivergent child with specific needs and challenges?
A: One thing I wish my professors understood is that I’m always juggling two full-time roles. There are challenges that don’t always fit into their schedule. Most days I’m managing meltdowns, therapies, or even unexpected school calls before I can even do my schoolwork. I am trying my best to push through, but it can be hard to get my work done when my normal day is filled with so much chaos. I know this is all my responsibility, but sometimes it can be so hard.
Q: What changes would you love to see on campus that would help parenting students thrive at your institution?
A: I personally can take most of my classes online, but I still have had some classes on campus, and I have tests to take on campus. It would be so great if there was child care available on campus or if the school could provide child care resources for everyone. It would be so helpful if I could have someone watch my son for an hour while I take a test or have a class. I know that’s a lot to ask for, but it would be incredibly helpful and maybe help parents who want to attend school but have no child care options.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to other parents who are considering enrolling in college for the first time?
A: It’s not as hard as you think it will be! I was so worried that I would be completely overwhelmed and absolutely fail, but the staff and professors at Roane State are so understanding and helpful. It’s not at all as hard as I thought it would be. Attending school is a big decision and life-changing event for some people, like me, and I just wish someone had told me how flexible you can make your schedule and how empathetic and helpful most of the professors and staff are.
Q: What do you hope your son will gain or learn from your experiences?
A: My son is in fourth grade, and, as a neurodivergent student, school can be really challenging for him. He faces struggles that sometimes make him want to give up, especially when kids are unkind or when his schoolwork is challenging. I want my son to learn that education is a gift. It is something no one can take away from him. I want him to see that learning is lifelong, and that no obstacle or unkind word should ever keep him from chasing knowledge and creating a better future for himself.
