Shannon Hageman
Senior, Secondary Education
Elkhorn, Nebraska
When I graduated high school over a decade ago, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. But first, I wanted to travel all over the world, write it all down, come back to the small town life and tell my stories. My sophomore year, I abandoned those plans to follow through with a new, unexpected goal: being the best mom I can. Twelve years of marriage and six children later, I was blessed with the opportunity to return to college and follow through with that original goal of becoming a teacher.
My family is my passion and my driving force toward finishing my degree. This is as much for me as it is for them. My husband and children are very helpful and patient.
My professors are also a driving force. I see them — some married, some with children — achieving these huge milestones. I came here to earn my degree in secondary education, but I'm leaving here with plans to return. Why not make new, bigger goals? Doctorate maybe? I see them and I think, “They did it. They're living proof that women can make and conquer these amazing goals.”
I selected College of Saint Mary because of the commercials and I liked the idea of an all-women’s college. I liked the idea of going to school with other moms. I thought maybe I could do this “back to school” thing.
I enrolled in College of Saint Mary with the expectation of earning a degree that would allow me to teach. Then I met Dr. Brown. She made a few comments on one of my essays in creative writing class. She sparked in me a passion I let whither long ago — a passion for creative writing. During an advising meeting, she diffused all my excuses and even suggested an independent writing study. I'm about 120 pages into my memoir, and she has supported and encouraged me through every page. Because of her influence, I realized I am not at a point of withering. She helped me move the cloud, get out of the shade, and back into full Bloom.
I’m teaching sophomore English and senior composition at Elkhorn High School. It’s an honor for me to come back to EHS as a student teacher. When I graduated from EHS in ’99, I received the esteemed Elkhorn Education Foundation scholarship. I lost that scholarship when I dropped out of college my sophomore year. It’s tempting to shout from the EHS senior balcony, “I did it! I followed through and made it!”
I started out at UNO way back when. I was a number. I had no personal connection with any professor. Engaged discussions were rare. The classes were dull and superficial. I dreaded returning there. I think that's part of the reason I put my goal aside for so long.
College of Saint Mary provides a family atmosphere. My professors know me, whether I took one or six classes with them. They engage in discussions and allow so many opportunities for collaboration. Most importantly, I could attend college while strengthening the spiritual life I recently awoke to, another reason I returned to college. The theology classes and in-house chapel were the icing on the cake!
A young mother is in one of the classes I'm teaching. I asked her about her plans for fall, she said she was thinking about college. I encouraged her to talk to College of Saint Mary. I told her:
“You will be successful, if you work at it, and College of Saint Mary will support you on that journey. It's a safe place for you and your son. They get it, they understand. They want you to be successful and you will be with other women who have the same goal and similar stress. They won't do it for you, but they'll give you'll the tools you need and, above all else, the confidence to follow through.”
College of Saint Mary alumnae are the reason students apply. I want to thank them for setting the example and proving to all women that our goals are worth achieving.
Sr. Catherine McAuley was right — "No work of charity can be more productive of good to society than the careful instruction of women." College of Saint Mary proves that everyday.
