by Janet Foor, ED.D., Assistant Professor of Special Education

As an educator in the field of special education, I’ve spent years learning from students who challenged assumptions, redefined success, and frequently reminded me that learning is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Each student had a different path—their own way of learning, growing, and becoming—and all paths were valid, valuable, and unique.

Much in the same way, Wilson College is not just a place to earn a degree. It is a place to discover who we become when challenged or inspired, and when we surround ourselves with people who think differently than we do. Students are not here to fit into a mold. They are here to discover what makes them who they are—and to use that discovery to make a difference.

And making a difference does not always mean changing the world overnight. Sometimes it means showing up for a friend who is struggling. Sometimes it means asking for help when needed. Sometimes it means speaking up in class, even when one’s voice is shaking. These small acts of courage matter. They shape who we are, and they shape the kind of community we build together.

One of my favorite quotes is from Helen Keller, who said, “I am only one, but I am one.” Keller was both blind and deaf from a very young age and later became a prolific writer and advocate for those with disabilities. Her quote reminds me that each of us, no matter our background or our challenges, has the power to contribute something meaningful. We do not have to do everything, but we can do something. And that something can change a life—maybe even one’s own.