Heartfelt with HETRA: Article Twenty-Four
Returning Home to Gretna - Gayle Smith’s Story
On my eighth birthday, a dream came true when my parents surprised me with the most amazing gift - my very own horse, Jody, a stunning palomino Quarter Horse. I had been pestering my parents incessantly for a horse, especially since my older cousins had horses of their own. For the next decade, I immersed myself in the world of horse showing, participating in events hosted by 4-H and the local AQHA club. Nonetheless, it was Tara, a beautiful palomino filly born on our property, who captured my heart completely. With her extraordinary qualities, she stood out among other horses. Unfortunately, the demands of college life left me with insufficient time to dedicate to my equine companions as I used to, which led me to the difficult decision to part ways with them.
When I embarked on my college journey at UNL, I swiftly discovered my passion for education as an English Language Arts major. My grandmother, a former teacher, had always captivated me with her storytelling and vibrant personality, serving as my greatest inspiration. It was during my time at UNL that I met my husband, and when he was offered a job in Holdrege, Nebraska, I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees at UNK.
For the next 20 years, I taught at several schools around central Nebraska. Then my husband was offered a job opportunity in Omaha and we knew where we wanted to move next: Gretna. I continued my teaching career for the next 8 years at Douglas County West in their English department, covering a variety of courses such as English 9, Speech Communication, Creative Writing, and Yearbook. I also had the privilege of coaching the Speech Team. Last May, I decided it was time to retire from teaching, but I wasn't ready to give up working altogether.
It was by pure chance that I stumbled upon a job opening for an Administrative Assistant at HETRA about a month before the end of the school year. I had no prior knowledge of HETRA, but the idea of continuing to make a difference in people's lives outside of the classroom intrigued me. As I delved deeper into learning about HETRA, I became increasingly impressed with the tremendous impact the therapists, volunteers, and horses were having on the lives of others.
In June of 2023, I joined the HETRA family as an Administrative Assistant and transitioned to the role of Program Intake Coordinator in December. The opportunity to witness a participant's journey from their initial inquiry to their first session with a therapist or instructor has been incredibly fulfilling. Throughout my time as a teacher and coach, I always found joy in helping my students master challenging skills, and at HETRA, I have the privilege of continuing to be a part of that rewarding endeavor.
What truly impresses me about HETRA is the genuine care not only for the participants and volunteers, but also for the staff. The leadership values the importance of work-life balance, continuously inspires and challenges us to be our best, and treats us like family. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have discovered HETRA as my second career.
