Going to college was not an option for my parents, who both came from poor backgrounds. They worked extremely hard to create a better life for themselves and for me, their only child. Although I wasn't that interested in going to college, it was important to my parents that I did. The whole college thing worked out pretty well for me, though, because not only did I go to college and get a bachelor's degree, but I went on to earn master's and PhD degrees. Furthermore, I became a teacher so that I could help others realize their dream of a college education. I'm a great believer in Horace Mann's view that education is a great equalizer. Making sure that everyone has access to the education of their choice is the most important thing that we, as citizens, can do—whether that education involves studying in a college or university or training for a craft or trade. An education affords us a world of opportunities that we wouldn’t have otherwise.