Clay Aiken

I decided to study special education and fell in love with working with individuals with autism. That's what I planned to do with my life.

If my career detour from special education to singing has done one thing, it has afforded me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

I went to school for special education. I always assumed when I had the opportunity I would love to try and help kids with disabilities.

Well, financially it's a little bit better. But it's better than than when I was a teacher. But I kind of - it's allowed me to buy a house. And I've been able to help my mother with some stuff and my brother. So, that's nice.

But I was going to be a teacher my entire life, so I wasn't counting on money to much.

I had a Spanish teacher in high school. I rarely got in trouble in her room because I felt I was disappointing her if I got a bad grade. That had more power over me than teachers who told me I talked too much. That level of respect I had for her made me not want to fail for her.

I did get a degree in special education.

My mother taught me that we all have the power to achieve our dreams. What I lacked was the courage.