When schools repeatedly turned away her autistic daughter, Kimmoy Gayle refused to accept that the child would be left behind. Instead, the 34-year-old mother enrolled at The University of the West Indies (UWI) and began training to become the teacher her daughter needed.

The Westmoreland native is gearing up to begin her third and final year pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Development and Family Studies this September. She boasts a 3.98 GPA and has earned a place on the Honour Roll three times — accomplishments she says are inspired by the little girl who transformed her life.

“I made up my mind that, if I can't get her into school, I am going to enroll into university and become a teacher so I can teach my child, because I would not allow my child to be left behind,” Gayle told THE STAR.