All About Me

              My name is Shannon Hogan and I am a graduate student at Azusa Pacific University's San Diego Campus. I grew up in Arcadia, a suburb of Los Angeles, where I attended St. Rita Catholic Elementary school from grades K-8. At St. Rita I took classes with roughly the same 32 kids for 9 years. I loved my small little school, and partially due to its size, I developed a reputation as one of the smartest kids in the class. At St. RIta I began my love of school, which I dedicate partially to amazingly dedicated teachers, and partially to my mother, who was a career educator and imparted the importance of school in me very early in life. After St. Rita I attended La Salle College Preparatory High School, another small Catholic school. However, at La Salle I had plenty of opportunities to develop interests and pursue strengths. I found a love for English and History, as well as student government. I became more involved in extracurriculars because of my love for school, and continued to perform very well in academics. I have always loved learning, and also realized a passion for tutoring in many different forms. After graduating from La Salle I attended the University of San Diego where I majored in History and obtained minors in English and Political Science. At USD I continued to tutor as a Writing Center tutor. School has always been rather easy for me; I welcome the challenges it provides as another chance to learn more. 
                My relationship with technology has always been an interesting one. I am not the person who seeks out new technologies, I can be a bit resistant to change. However, once I learn about a new technology, from my tech-savy brother, and NY times article, or from one of my graduate courses, I become very excited about the technology and can't imagine how I lived without it. After my first graduate course in Digital Video I was amazed at all the opportunities that video projects and technology could bring to students. I think that the technological revolution provides many excited ways to differentiate education and engage students. However, I think my only hesitancy with technology in education is to ensure that the tools that are incorporated are for the good of students, not the good of for-profit companies. I think with strong critical thinking and evaluation teachers can find ways to make technology work for them in the classroom. 
                  The mission statement of Azusa Pacific University is "To develop highly effective, innovative, visionary educators and scholarly practitioners of high moral and ethical character based upon Christian values and principles." I feel a strong connection to this statement because I feel it touches on two of the most important aspects of being an educator. First, as a educator, one is in a career or service to others around them. Therefore, it is essential for educators to have strong moral and ethical character so as to be in a position to serve others well. Second, teachers can thrive with innovation and a vision, since the world of education can become stagnant if teachers don't work keep things new. In my time at APU I feel that both of these aspects of the mission statement, the dedication to morality and innovation, have been provided to the best of the university's ability. 

In honor of the fall season approaching, a picture of me with last year's choice pumpkin!