43-Year-Old Former School Janitor Achieves Dream, Graduates from Georgia State University
Bailey, driven by his aspiration to give back to DeKalb Schools, enrolled at Georgia State University at the age of 40. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in health and physical education with a minor in special education.
AKACHI NOEL 
Tylan Bailey, a dedicated 43-year-old, fulfilled his dream of becoming a college graduate and a teacher after spending 24 years working as a janitor at Hightower Elementary School in DeKalb County, Georgia.
Bailey, driven by his aspiration to give back to DeKalb Schools, enrolled at Georgia State University at the age of 40. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in health and physical education with a minor in special education.
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Balancing janitorial responsibilities and academic studies for three years, Bailey successfully graduated Cum Laude with honors. Expressing his joy, he shared on Twitter, "Returned to college at 40 yrs old, graduated at 43 yrs old with a B.S.E in Health and Physical Education, minor in Special Education."
Now, Bailey is a physical education teacher at Briar Vista Elementary School in Georgia, Atlanta, where he teaches students from pre-K through 5th grade. His passion for fostering a lifelong love for physical activity among students has been well-received.
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Briar Vista school principal, Cammie Neil, recognized Bailey's exceptional journey, stating, "Someone who has worked as a custodian, to then go to college and get their degree— I wanted to give him a chance."
Tylan Bailey's story stands as an inspiring testament to perseverance and the pursuit of one's dreams.
