Pioneer?

Welcome... I'm not sure where this is headed but let's start here. I once had someone refer to me as being a "pioneer". The manner in which she referred to the word pioneer didn't rub me the right way. At that point, I was thinking that I was taking advantage of a way to fulfill the overachiever in me. I still feel that way.

Maybe I should first explain that I'm an online learner with Capella University. By pursuing an online degree, I can take care of my family, have a career, and pursue my dreams. I don't think of myself as a pioneer. That title belongs to those lone soles who embraced online learning 10 or more years ago, when I was too timid to step out in what I thought were fragile waters. Today I consider it a norm. To be more specific, it's a way to capture that Howard Gardner population that have been shunned by traditional universities.

Overall, I imagine that part of why I find my program so fulfilling is the level of experience and variety of learners I have encountered. I'm in a doctoral program, so this is easy to understand. However, what I find different from being a land-based learner is that I am always accountable. I can't sit in the back of the "class" and rest on the laurels of other learners. My voice is always required and always heard. Online learning is different. The work is actually harder, but I don't consider myself a pioneer.

Needless to say, I write in a rather long winded manner, but I'm interested to know what other learners feel about this word, pioneer? Am I being hypersensitive? Without extending too much detail, who's biased, me or the person who made the statement?

I look forward to hearing from you!