Shannon Hammer ’22
Shannon Hammer ’22 is going to be working as a special education paraprofessional in the Oxford, Connecticut, school district this summer. The integrated elementary and special education major says she’ll be placed in an elementary or middle school under the guidance of a special education teacher. “It will be an exciting opportunity for me to get an in-person experience in the classroom working with students with behavioral and academic challenges before beginning my senior year,” she says.
Shannon’s goal is to be a special education teacher working with a general education teacher in an inclusive classroom with diverse learners. “I want to help redefine normal and destigmatize differences between students,” she says. “It is important for my future students to know each of us have our own strengths and challenges to face and all students deserve support.”
Shannon spent the first two years in her journey toward a bachelor’s degree in UHart’s Hillyer College, while at the same time, was enrolled in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions (ENHP). Shannon says what she liked the most about Hillyer is the small class sizes and the one-on-one support, which helped her make a smooth transition into the Education program. “The professors and staff genuinely care about each student and encourage success,” she says. “And this relationship continues long after your class has ended.”
Her summer paraprofessional job won’t be Shannon’s first in-person teaching classroom experience. As a Hillyer student, she was able to complete two classroom fieldwork experiences: the first in a 5th grade classroom at the on-campus University of Hartford Magnet School, and the second in a 12th grade English language arts class at the University High School of Science and Engineering. Due to COVID restrictions this year as an ENHP student, Shannon was able to have a remote teaching experience in a Hartford 5th grade classroom. For her senior year, she will have two more in-classroom experiences for her practicum and student teaching. “It is amazing to get multiple opportunities for classroom experience before I graduate,” she says.
In ENHP, Shannon says she was able to make genuine, quality connections with her professors in a close-knit “family” environment. She says that students work together in teaching cohorts, learning from each other with a focus on communication, accountability, and teamwork. “My experience in ENHP has been wonderful,” she says. “The professors are all incredibly knowledgeable and always supportive. They have taught me the importance behind productive struggle by steering away from teaching us step-by-step instruction and focusing more on helping us to develop the skills needed to take charge of our own learning. This allows us to become more flexible in thinking and to develop our own problem-solving skills—all of which are important to pass on to our own future students.”
While enrolled in Hillyer, Shannon became involved with UHart’s Women’s Advancement LEAD program where she says, “I learned crucial life skills beyond academic requirements such as the importance of advocating for myself and I attended outside seminars with a focus on personal and career development. I learned that the Hillyer professors, LEAD administrators, and even UHart alumni can be inspirational mentors with invaluable life experiences they are willing to share."
Shannon Hammer '22, Integrated Elementary and Special EducationMake the most of your Hillyer College experience by taking advantage of the extra support offered and make meaningful connections with your professors. They are dedicated mentors that will help guide you toward the best path to meet your career and life goals. Remember everyone’s journey and timeline will be different so appreciate your own unique path as you climb each step to achieve those goals!