Single Mom Shows She Is the Perfect Role Model by Graduating From High School 20 Years Later

Tracy MacDonald Nova Scotia Mom Returns to Finish High School 20 Years Later Perfect role model

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Aug 31, 09:05 pm

Photo: (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

A single mom from Nova Scotia who failed high school by four points has returned to get her diploma 20 years later. According to Tracy MacDonald, she worked hard in high school as a teen, but an unstable home situation caused her to struggle academically.

MacDonald told CBC that when she was 16, her mother left a note and told her she did not want any part of her and she should go and live with her father. She added that her father was a bit of an alcoholic at that point, so she knew it was not the best situation for her.

She decided to get a lawyer instead and emancipated herself, a legal term meaning the teenager was no longer the responsibility of both of her parents. MacDonald finished high school and thought she would receive a diploma. She later found out, however, that she only got 46 percent in English, a failing grade, and could not graduate as a result.

MacDonald never forgot about her high school diploma

She moved on with her life but never forgot about the diploma she failed to get back in high school. MacDonald said she always thought about it and always wanted to have her Grade 12.

She planned to return to complete high school, but the time was never right for her. Tracy is a lone parent to five kids, including four young children at home. She has worked at all kinds of jobs to pay the bills at home, including Tim Hortons, a lobster boat, and a call center.

Tracy did not like how the off-hours kept her away from her kids after their school day. It did not help matters that she then lost her child care. She said she had to leave her job at that point so she could take care of her children.

MacDonald added that the only other option for her was to go to school to further her education so she could get into college and be more than just nothing. She enrolled at the Queens Adult High School in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, and has spent the previous year earning that missing English credit.

MacDonald now works as a substitute assistant at Queens Middle School

Her efforts paid off as she won a Literacy Nova Scotia bursary in the process. MacDonald's teacher, Sonya Eddy, said she is the perfect role model because she has every reason not to come back, but she came back anyway and had this great success.

The single mom earned her missing English credit and graduated in June, according to Star999. MacDonald hopes to study to become a teacher's assistant and then become a teacher someday. Tracy already works as a substitute assistant at Queens Middle School. She treasures her job, saying it is amazing, and loves helping the children.