Hello! My name is Ms. Shannon and I’m one of the Lead ELA & Math instructors at Tip-Top Brain. I was born and raised on the island of Oahu in the beautiful state of Hawaii. I ventured to NYC during my undergrad and then moved to Seattle, WA for a few years. Now, I’m happy to say that I’ve made Queens my second home with my two fur-babies!
I attended Kailua High School in Hawaii where I graduated as a Valedictorian. While I was in high school, I participated in several clubs and activities such as soccer, Math League, tennis and the National Honor Society. I also was the first chair trumpet in my band’s symphonic band for three years. I enjoyed balancing my extracurricular activities with my academics and took AP classes in Psychology, Literature and Composition, and Calculus AB.
During my Undergraduate career, I attended Hunter College. There, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology while minoring in Asian American Studies and Media. I was fascinated with these subjects because I wanted to better understand the development, structure, and functioning of human society and how media can influence those ideas. This led me to study abroad in Japan for a term where I learned about Japanese film history and Japanese culture. At the completion of my degree, I was named to the Dean’s List for four years and graduated Cum Laude.
After I graduated, I worked in the museum field for a few years. It was through my interactions with patrons—engaging in discussions about the content in the exhibits and seeing them light up when I taught them about the history of the area—that I decided to go back to school to become a teacher. I attended Fordham University and received my Masters of Science in Teaching with a dual track in Childhood/Childhood Special Education. While pursuing my degree, I was able to work as a teacher at a special education school that specializes in teaching students with dyslexia and other language-based needs. I taught 5th-7th grade students in subjects such as Social Studies, Math, and ELA. I also participated in afterschool programs such as track & field and arts & crafts.
My road to teaching was not as immediate as others, but the journey to get here has been very fulfilling. Nothing has brought me more joy in my life than seeing a student’s face light up when they master a new skill. It’s through these interactions with students that keeps me motivated at work.
I love Tip-Top Brain because I get to work with students daily on various content and see them progress to become the best version of themselves. I look forward to meeting your child here at Tip-Top Brain and continue to make their learning experience worthwhile!
