Pamela Downes is finally studying to become a teacher at the age of 52 and says it’s “never too late to change your life”

Limerick woman Pamela Downes had always wanted to teach, but life got in the way. As the eldest of five children, and with two younger brothers with autism, she decided to get a job when she finished school so she could help out at home. She told RSVP Magazine: “I got a job in a factory and I worked there for a long time, I made fantastic friends, I met my husband, then I changed jobs and worked for an autism group but in the back of my mind, the dream of teaching was always there.”

MAKING A CHANGE

Three years ago, Pamela felt down anA depressed. Uncertain if it was the menopause or just life struggles, she decided to do a course in counselling and psychotherapy, which made her look at her own life and what she wanted from it. She realised that she already knew what she wanted, and that was to teach. “In order for me to get into teaching, I had to go back and do a teaching education access programme with MI college in Limerick,” she explained. “I had to repeat English, Irish and Maths in the Leaving Cert, all while working and running a home.”

Pamela credits her family and close friends for supporting her during the tough days in winter when she had to leave work to go and do three hours of maths grinds. When she wanted to give up, they encouraged her to keep going.

Now with the first semester under her belt,Pamela says she is enjoying each day and although she is the eldest in her year (not just in her class) she feels totally accepted and part of the team. “At 52 I am by far the eldest in the year, the next person down from me is 34, there are a few in their mid twenties and the others are teens but I get on grand with them all,” she said. “It took a bit of time to settle but the younger students are lovely, they are interested in why I am doing the course at my age and they just ask questions. I had to do a dance workshop recently and they kept telling me that I am great! It’s funny. I have also joined some societies to get to know people. We have this a capella group and they asked would anyone sing solo and I did, and I think they thought I was stone mad but in a good way.

FACING FEARS

Pamela admits that while this is an incredible journey she does have some fears, and financially they have felt the pinch. However she believes everything will work out. She said: “I would be lying if I said I didn’t have some fears, as the course goes on it will become more time-consuming and challenging but there is great support from the college and from home so I will be fine. Financially, we have felt it as my husband lost his job during the summer but I did get a part-time job for the weekends so that helps. We are managing, you cut your cloth to fit your measure. We are getting by.”

Currently the average age for retirement is 65, which would mean Pamela is retraining and doing all this work for a 10 year career – something that has crossed her mind. “I brought that up myself when I was initially interviewed by Mary Immaculate but as of now I do have a good ten years or more and then the retirement age could rise from 65.

Also, I will still want to work when I am in my sixties so I could find something within the field that I can do, so I won’t let age stop me. I still have a lot to offer.” One of Pamela’s proudest moments in life was becoming a mother to her daughter Isabel and she firmly believes raising her own child will be a major help in the classroom. “I have experience with children so I hope I will be patient and understanding. Also, as a mother who has gone through the education system with my own child, I feel it gives me a leg up, I would be confident to stand and take control of a class. So it gives me a bit of an edge and that is an advantage of being that bit older.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

Pamela believes many women forget themselves when they have children and get older but age is not a barrier. “If I can do it at 52, anyone can do it, you have to believe in yourself. The defining moment was opening my Leaving Cert results, I went in to get them, I needed to see that piece of paper. I remember looking at them and saying ‘Oh my God, I have a place in college’.

I have changed since I started, the first day I walked into Mary I, I was vibrating with excitement that I had done it.” Surprising herself has been one of the greatest aspects of Pamela’s journey, although she always knew deep down that she could do it. “I really enjoy the learning and engaging with the tutors. When I was younger I would never take part, now if there is a discussion I am generally at the forefront, I am not embarrassed to make mistakes or ask questions. I just want to learn and I love the assignments and the exams. I can do it and I am as good as anyone else in the class. I wondered if I would be able for the pace but I am more than able.

“I am here as proof that it is never too late to change your life.”

Our 2020 campaign #yourbestlife features these remarkable women and we’d love to share their video stories with you. see, here.