March is Women’s History Month, when we celebrate the contributions of women throughout history and contemporary society. With this series, we intend to highlight some of NPRC’s women for the work they have done throughout their careers and for their contributions to the College and higher education. In 2025, Women’s History Month has adopted the theme of “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
NPRC special education student Kiera Dynda is fully immersed in the field of education. When she’s not working to complete her associate degree, she works full-time for the Coudersport Elementary School with students from kindergarten to sixth grade. Working in education had been something on her mind as a career for years and she was inspired to enter the industry because of the education professionals’ impact on her sister. Her sister’s early intervention teacher, Kayla Ginkle, was an amazing advocate and teacher to her sister and someone who took time to answer the questions Kiera had about her career and education at large.
Fast forward and Dynda is now in year three as a paraeducator and will complete her associate degree at NPRC this December. “Working in education means that I get to shape the minds of students. I get to include them in things that they may never get to experience outside of school, making them feel welcome and excited to learn. It’s not always about academics; it’s about caring and equipping their minds with tools they can use in the future.”
Dynda could not imagine doing anything else in her career and does not take for granted how rewarding it is to see young minds improve themselves each day. “It’s rewarding to watch them achieve their goals and turn into a better version of themselves each day. I think people should know that being a paraprofessional is a hard job, and you should have a passion for helping and want to work with children of all ages if you are going to succeed and feel fulfilled. At the end of the day, it is very exhausting to work in this career, but it is incredibly rewarding.”
As for women who have inspired her and helped her get to this stage in life, Dynda credits her mom for being her reassurance and someone who always helped her see it through when the days were long and completing all her schoolwork seemed impossible. Additionally, she’s thankful for the friendships she has made with so many amazing women through the Paraeducators Pathway Program. “I have formed some friendships with many of the fellow paraeducators in this cohort from different schools. It is nice to have relationships with them, especially when you are taking the same classes, and all understand the challenge’s that each of us are experiencing between courses and our careers.”
After completing her degree at NPRC this fall, she plans to continue her education through the recently signed academic agreement with Wilson College to become a special education teacher in the coming years. Becoming a two-time college graduate and leading her own classroom in the future are all things that continue to motivate her when the days are long between work and her courses. “Being at NPRC and this opportunity to become a teacher one day is something I’m grateful for. There have been moments of wanting to give up because things have been hard sometimes, but I remind myself it is worth it, and I will one day look back on this chapter of my life and enjoy how far I have come. I am very excited to have a classroom one day and look forward to designing a room to help children feel safe and learn in a fun environment.”
One reminder for herself throughout her time as a college student, that she hopes others can take away from hearing her story, was to try anyway even when she was unsure if she could do it. Taking the chance is worth it. Doing so will also allow the support system to cheer and step up to support in various ways. Finding her people has helped make this chapter in her life just a little bit easier. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been and will continue to be worth it.
Kiera is only one of the many inspiring women in the NPRC community we celebrated this month. Thank you to the amazing women we highlighted for this Women’s History Month series!
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