Ana Kim

LAUSD/DACE - Abram Friedman Occupational Center

Ana Kim has a special interest in teaching, motivating and caring for exceptional children. Described as a survivor, when her own special needs child passed away, rather than become a victim, Ana decided to reach beyond herself to help other children. She had gained valuable experience from her child's involvement in pre-school and other activities. Experience she could now use as she worked to make a difference in the world around her.

To keep herself focused, Ana says she concentrated on the need to be successful and start a new career. Her love for "those precious children" kept her motivated as she took classes in the Child Daycare Worker program at Abram Friedman Occupational Center. "Without this course," she says, "I couldn't work with them." The course included a field work component which Ana completed at the Exceptional Children's Center in Los Angeles. Later, after completing the program, the Center hired her as a regular employee.

It was an unusual move, according to the field work site supervisor, for the Center to hire someone without community college classes. But in Ana, they saw both the qualities and the qualifications that were needed to successfully work with their exceptional clients.

Someday, Ana would like to be a nurse. Her plans include continuing her education so that she can realize her goal which will help her continue doing what she loves – helping others.