Life is a voyage. The winds of life come strong
From every point; yet each will speed thy course along,
If thou with steady hand when tempests blow
Canst keep thy course aright and never once let go.  Theodore Chickering Williams

My name is Jeannie Azzopardi. In Malta, Azzopardi is like Smith.

I began the long road of my education in 1995, at age 36, a few months after my husband passed away. School allowed me to retain some sanity and self worth. My emphasis at Diablo Valley Community College was English. Two years later, my two children (Jesse and Richie) and I moved to Ashland, in lush Southern Oregon where we spent the next few years adjusting to life without Dad...and life within Oregon.

The next step of my journey was to enroll at Southern Oregon University. It was hideously scary...being the old woman I was and sitting in classrooms with students that could be my children. In my first CJ course, Leadership, the professor asked who remembered where they were when Kennedy was shot. Yes, I was the only one with her hand up. I cowered down in my seat amidst comments like- "Oh my god! Ted Kennedy was shot?" and "Kennedy who?"

I double-majored in English/Writing and Criminal Justice and graduated cum laude in 2004.

During my 3+ years at SOU, I received several awards and honors, had a poem and short story published. The one of my greatest honors however, was publication of my children's book Maricio and the Magic Suitcase that was the result of a writing project with my son's first grade class. Take a look: www.onceuponatimeinaclassroom.com

My senior practicum for Criminal Justice was spent at the Jackson County Medical Examiner's office with "Smitty". Over the several months I spent with Smitty, I learned a great deal of the mundane daily duties, witnessed an autopsy, went out on a routine death call, and met an unfortunate 'John Doe' who had spent some time in a pond.  

For the culmination of my practicum/capstone for both English/Writing and Criminal Justice...I got daring. I went to my advisor and asked if it would be acceptable to write an online course in Death Investigation. Not only did she agree...but said that it could be offered the next term!

Death Investigation was another great honor. The experience was tremendous...and exhausting. What was most profound was a realization that I might have an instinct about course design. And that led me to UMUC and my Master's.

Now...well, I expect to continue on the sojourn I have always known...the road less traveled.