At the age of 41, Joanna had already twice lost the opportunity to become a professional teacher.

After matriculation, notwithstanding her good examination results, Joanna was denied the chance to receive teacher training as her father considered that girls need not receive too high an education. Luckily, she found a post in a private school and began teaching a class of low achieving students. The excitement of being a teacher overtook her fear. As she found out that students were bored with regular classes, she tried to introduce variety in her lessons. "I tried role play and drama with them. Their responses were most encouraging as they started to participate actively. They also showed signs of academic improvement and the school principal was very pleased. That really gave me great job satisfaction!" Soon after this promising start, Joanna had to quit teaching to start a family.