Dolores Reynolds, center, recipient of the Decatur-DeKalb Retired Educators Scholarship, celebrates with Pat Warthan, left, and Patti Ireland, president of the organization. (Photo by Bill Roa)

by Beverly James

Focusing on her marriage and raising six children, Dolores Reynolds for years has toiled away as a cafeteria worker. She was happy, but something was missing. Reynolds’ lifelong dream was to teach children with special needs.

“While raising my family, I still had the desire to serve the ‘special angels,’” says the 52-year-old. “After my children left home, I had this empty space in my heart—a space that I’ve always wanted to fill by serving the needs of these beautiful children.”

Reynolds enrolled at Georgia Perimeter College in fall 2012 and realized that she could achieve her goal of becoming a special education teacher. Now, others have put their faith in her, too. Reynolds was recently awarded the Decatur/DeKalb Retired Educators Association scholarship.

The association traditionally awards a single $500 scholarship. Reynolds’ application so impressed the organization that it awarded her an additional $500 to total $1,000.

The scholarship is given to a currently enrolled GPC student majoring in education. The recipient must be a nontraditional student, one who is entering college after a break in education. And the student must be a graduate of a public or private school in the city of Decatur or DeKalb County.

For Reynolds, who still works full time for DeKalb County Schools, the scholarship is a blessing.

“The award helps because I have been struggling financially,” she says. “I am so determined to get my degree and be successful. God worked this out for me to be able to become a teacher and become a blessing to the children who need me most.”