As the first part of an oral history of education of students with emotional/behavioral disorders, 15 first-generation leaders were asked to relate how they entered the field and to describe their careers, which span the past 35 to 50 years. Their videotaped responses were transcribed and are reported here together with discussion of several apparent themes. Most of these persons had no plan to pursue careers in special education or knew that such a career was possible. Their careers coincided with cultural and legislative changes that established the right to public education for students with disabilities. As such, they encountered opportunities for teaching positions and graduate study that ultimately led to long-time engagement and leadership roles. They entered an emerging and rapidly developing profession and were able to help shape the field over its first several decades.