Undergraduate: Mathematics and Liberal Studies in Education
Graduate: Preliminary Teaching Credential (Single-Subject) and MEd in Teacher Leadership
Shannon Pearce-Harris completed her undergraduate studies at Cal Lutheran in 2022 as a double-major in mathematics and liberal studies in education.
What is your current position and place of employment?
I am a mathematics teacher at James Monroe High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
What inspired or motivated you to want to teach math at the middle/high school level?
I am one of three children and growing up I watched my siblings struggle with math whereas for me it came easy. I saw the struggle in many of my friends as soon as I got to high school and it pushed me to use my strengths to help others succeed as well. Math has a bad reputation and I wanted to be part of helping people understand that they are born with the ability to do math, no one is born bad at math.
What’s a favorite aspect of your second major (Liberal Studies in Education)?
My second major was liberal studies in education and my favorite part of that major was Dr. Michael McCambridge. He was pivotal in my journey to becoming a teacher. Although the major was built around elementary teachers he took the courses and differentiated them for me knowing that I wanted to teach high school. He is the reason I fell in love with teaching and he made everyone feel welcome.
After graduation, Shannon enrolled in our Graduate School of Education and earned her single-subject teaching credential in 2023. She is currently working on her master’s in education while working.
What were some of your favorite aspects or benefits of the single-subject teaching credential program?
I really liked that there were courses included that were tailored toward the teaching profession. I also really liked that all my professors were the same ones as my undergrad professors, it made me feel more comfortable in my learning. Lastly, I liked that I had to create a portfolio throughout the program that highlighted my work and defended my work to my professors at the end. It made me feel accomplished and like I chose the right path for my future
Would you recommend the single-subject teaching credential program to a future student? Why?
I would absolutely recommend this path to a future student. I think the structure of the program is very nicely laid out and if they have done the mathematics major at Cal Lutheran then they would already be familiar with the professors in the program. Everyone is so supportive and genuinely cares about your success, it’s a great program to be a part of.
Will you be earning your master’s in education as well?
I will be earning my master’s in education. I am in my second semester now and will be graduating in May 2024!