Page 159 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

159 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

The following year, in 1969, a position opened in Special Education, a field that I was now convinced I wanted to pursue. The
Broward County School System was just beginning to incorporate the Educable and Trainable Mentally-Handicapped programs into

their curriculum. I was truly happy to be a part of the transition.

I decided that I needed to get certified in the area of Mental Retardation and I enrolled in the University of Miami to accomplish this

goal. As the years progressed, Special Education students became those I loved to teach. God had given me much patience. This gift

enabled me to bring His gift of love and creativity to this population of students. It was a true blessing.

While working in Fort Lauderdale, I again needed additional money to pay my bills and extra money for clothes, accessories, and

entertainment. I worked three jobs. I taught school, sold Avon cosmetics, and worked as a cashier at a grocery chain. It was difficult,
but I was independent and did not want to ask my family or anyone for help. Thank God, He supplied my every need. I always went

to church, no matter what city or state I lived in. Joining a church was very significant for me. It meant my spiritual foundation would
be secure.

“BUT GOD” wasn’t finished yet. An opportunity opened for me to teach English for Speakers of Other Languages in an evening
adult education program. I was interested, but wondered how a class would operate when the students were Spanish, Asian,

Hungarian, German, and Italian. That was hilarious at first because I spoke none of these languages. When I realized my job was to
teach them English, it made more sense to me. I ended up loving every minute of it. I was able to help them receive their citizenship

papers, which was their goal. Needless to say, I was able to quit two of my part-time jobs!

It was during this time that I met a wonderful man who generously exposed me to the finer things of life. His name was John

Hitchmon, and he introduced me to 5-star restaurants and hotels; yacht parties on Miami and Fort Lauderdale beaches; and exclusive

shoppes and boutiques. He even rented a 5-star recording studio to “jump start my pop/jazz singing career.” Aretha Franklin had even