Finding Strength in Education

Donna Burton, a recent winter 2026 graduate from Northampton Community College (NCC), knew she wanted more out of her career as a paraprofessional for the Colonial Intermediate Unit (IU). While Burton had planned to go back to school, life circumstances solidified which direction she took for her future.  

“When I found out my husband was sick, I thought, ‘What am I going to do if he’s not here?’ I need to support myself and my family,” said Burton. 

In 2022, Burton’s husband was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal colorectal cancer. The doctors said it was incurable, and Burton was faced with a hard decision when her husband could no longer work to help support the family. She knew upskilling in the same field she’d been in for 20 years would be less time consuming than starting over in another field, although she briefly considered nursing as an option. 

When Burton heard about the Paraeducator Preparation Pathway Grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which is designed to support paraeducators in obtaining associate degrees, it made her decision to stay on her current career path a simple one. With an associate’s degree, she could boost her earning potential practically for free with the grant. So, she enrolled in the special education program at NCC to start her college journey. 

The 55-year-old had been teaching as a paraprofessional at the Colonial IU for over 20 years.  After earning her high school diploma, she was initially hired as a one-on-one with a student. Over the years, she’s worked with children who have varying physical and mental needs, and now, she works in autistic support for East Hills Middle School in Bethlehem. 

“When I was in high school, I just started seeing kids with needs, and I wanted to help and advocate for them. I also love my job because I was able to raise my kids with a steady 9-5, and I had weekends off to spend time with them." 

After raising four children, two daughters and two sons, it was her time to consider her next steps.  

“I thought, ‘Can I do this?’ When I was in school, index cards were how we studied, and everything was on paper. It was a tough learning curve getting used to the way everything was done with technology,” she said. 

She soon realized that she could do this. She says she’s glad she went for post-secondary schooling later in life because she, “really took advantage of it.”  

“My kids would say, ‘C’s will get you degrees,’ but I’d think, ‘Oh no, I’m doing more than that.’ I was focused, motivated, and driven. I’d even beat myself up if I got an A- instead of an A+.”  

She found unexpected courses that she loved along the way, like political science and psychology. She specifically enjoyed connecting with her professors, namely one of her special education professors, Robin Cunconan-Lahr.  

“Robin was a great personality, upbeat and inspiring like you could do anything you set your mind to do. She’s like me that she always wants to advocate for the underdogs. She was very supportive when I was taking care of my mom while she was sick,” says Burton.  

It came with challenges, both personal and in the classroom, but Burton never gave up on her goals. Now that she’s graduated, she plans to attend East Stroudsburg University (ESU) hoping to earn her bachelor’s degree in special education before she turns 60.  

On graduation day, having lost her mother and father, it was bittersweet. Although they didn’t get to see her walk across the stage to earn her college degree, she knew they would be proud. Her children, husband and three grandchildren were all filled with pride for her accomplishment.   

As for her family, her husband has been doing well on his treatments for the past four years. Burton's children came together to purchase the family estate and her sons are turning her mother and father's land into a farm stocked with chickens, sheep, cows, ducks, and goats.  

Having graduated with an impressive 3.9 GPA, Burton has one piece of advice – don't hesitate to go back to school if you have the opportunity.