I have always felt that given the nurturing and proper tools, all kids can learn. By 1992, Strain had abandoned her Clarence Darrow ambitions. With a bachelor's degree in education and management already under her belt, she began working on a doctorate degree in education administration and supervision at Roosevelt University and state certification to become a principal. By 1993, she was a regularly appointed teacher at Bradwell Elementary in South Shore. She was one of our more active teachers.
Some teachers strictly teach in the classrooms, and that's it.
She did things for the school, like help sponsor our science fair. You could also tell she was concerned about children. Strain was so concerned that she became foster mother to a Bradwell student and two siblings. By then, Strain and her husband, Louis, had three children of their own. Strain remained at Bradwell until she went on maternity leave with her fourth child.