Single mom forges path from child care to courtroom

Most child care employees would sport a T-shirt and comfy jeans. Madison Beal wasn’t most people.

Bouncing from receptionist desk to kitchen and classroom at San Jacinto College’s Central Campus lab school, Beal changed diapers and scrubbed dishes in a blazer and slacks. She was “dressing the way I want to see my career go.”

Pursuing an associate degree 10 years after high school, the single mom knew the road ahead would be challenging. To succeed, she needed a commitment just as tough.

Making a U-turn

Despite a stable childhood, Beal couldn’t find her place in high school. Bullied, she swung from public and private schools to a home-school program. When she graduated, she wasn’t sure what to do next.

“That was my slip-up: I never thought for myself,” she said. “I let my mom make my decisions.”

Shortly after Beal earned an esthetician license, her parents divorced. World rocked, she pursued two dead-end relationships — a brief marriage and an abusive relationship that led to two children.

“I started seeing I was in a lifestyle I hadn’t grown up in,” she said. “I wanted better for my kids.”

Finally mustering courage to leave her boyfriend, Beal moved in with her mom across from the Central Campus. Carless and jobless, she saw the lab school, put her kids on the waiting list, and applied to work at San Jac.

The dominos started falling. Child care spots opened, along with a job at the lab school. Beal also got financial aid and enrolled, with a grant covering the child care expenses.

“Something I never thought would be imaginable became imaginable,” she said.

Beating self-doubt

Returning to school in fall 2022 presented challenges, starting with logistics. For more than a year, Beal buckled her children in a stroller and pushed them home after work and classes.

“Walking gave me time to think, to process the day,” she said. “It also taught me to appreciate and value things.”

But Beal’s biggest challenge was self-doubt. Could she do this? Beyond working, she juggled full-time classes, homework, and two toddlers.

“I started being real with myself,” she said. “My kids are looking up to me. If I fail, what am I teaching them? Once I saw failure wasn’t an option, I kept pushing myself.”

Once I saw failure wasn’t an option, I kept pushing myself.

She learned to gulp down pride and accept help, with the biggest help coming from God. The “everyday battle” became smoother once she relied on her faith.

“This has been nothing but God,” she said. “There’s a plan and purpose for everything.”

Finding the future

In 2023, Beal was still sorting out her career goals. After landing a full-time position as a senior administrative assistant in child development, she started taking honors classes. An honors government class ignited her interest in law.

She decided to finish her general studies associate degree, pursue psychology and women’s studies at the University of Houston, and attend law school.

Beal sees all her experiences blending to help women who need legal help. From facing abuse herself to traveling with the honors program to Spain, she has strong compassion for others and a desire to understand other cultures.

“I want to fully help women I encounter, not just representing them for the money but getting justice for them,” she said. “That’s where my heart is.”

Choosing success

After an abusive relationship, Beal determined never to settle for “toxic, unhealthy” comfort again.

Sometimes the biggest step is taking a step.

“You choose to get out of bed, to put on your shoes,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t want to. But if you don’t choose it, you’re going to fail.”

This December, Beal will accept her diploma at commencement. But her San Jac journey doesn’t end there. She’ll continue to work at the College while pursuing her bachelor’s degree. One day, she may return as a professor.

“San Jac gave so much to me,” she said. “You set my feet on a strong foundation not just academically. My professors prepared me — gave me a strong foundation for the position I’m in. I want to give back to the students too.”