Finding Resilience Through Family and Faith
Growing up in the D.C. area, I eventually found my way to Tennessee shortly after getting married. Life took an unexpected turn when my husband lost his job, leading me to transition into the school system as a teaching assistant. I quickly discovered a deep love for education, specifically witnessing the profound development of a child. Today, I am privileged to serve as a kindergarten teacher and the K-2 team lead at Maryville Christian School.
However, my path to higher education was paved with significant personal hurdles. During my undergraduate years, my family was in the midst of painful turmoil as my parents were separating and eventually divorcing. The emotional weight of that season was overwhelming, and as a result, I struggled significantly in my courses, graduating with a low GPA. For a long time, that experience left me feeling that succeeding in a rigorous academic environment was simply impossible.
Navigating Professional and Personal Challenges
My perspective on teaching changed forever when our son was diagnosed with dyslexia. It was a frightening realization that required me to completely overhaul my teaching methods to fit how his brain worked. There were days when I felt like I was failing him; I remember one afternoon in particular when we had to stop because nothing was working. I went to my room to cry out to the Lord, only to find a heartbreaking picture my son had drawn of himself with a sad face and tears, promising to try harder.
Little did I know then that God was using those moments of struggle to place tools inside of me that I would eventually use to help many other children. Despite my growing passion for my students, the idea of returning to school myself remained daunting. I was older, working full-time, and had been out of the classroom for a long time. I constantly second-guessed whether I could handle the workload or the academic expectations.
A Strategic Path to Confidence
When I finally reached out to SCOPE, I spoke with Dr. Carruthers, who took the time to listen to my story and understand my past academic struggles. He offered a practical and encouraging solution: start with a teaching certificate. This pathway allowed me to see if I could handle the work before committing to a full degree.
I was so nervous when I started the very first class that I didn’t even tell my family. I needed to know for myself if I could do it. To my delight, I found that the certificate was a perfect "boost" for my resume and a way to build my confidence. Every single class I took for that certificate transferred directly into the Master’s program, making the transition seamless.
Unlocking MY Impossible
Choosing SCOPE was one of the best decisions of my career. As an educator in a Christian school, I was able to take advantage of a 50% discount, which allowed me to earn my Master’s degree completely debt-free. Unlike my previous experience with school, I found myself using everything I learned in my SCOPE courses in my own classroom every single day.
What I once thought was impossible has now become my reality. I am proud to say that I am graduating with a 4.0 GPA, accomplishing a lifelong dream. To anyone fearful or second-guessing their ability to return to school, I want to encourage you: I felt that way, too. But through this journey, I have learned that with the right support, you truly can unlock the impossible.
I didn't think it was possible when I started, but SCOPE helped me unlock the impossible. I'm going to graduate with a 4.0, and I've accomplished one of my dreams.
Shanon Dennis