Loyola MAT Student Receives Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship
Pearson is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Music Certification in grades PK-12 at Loyola. As a single mom of two sons, she says, “For me this scholarship is a miracle. It gives me the ability to focus on my studies and teaching internship without the stress of also working full-time to support my family. I am so grateful.”
The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship pays for tuition, fees, as well as a housing allowance. Additionally, Loyola is one of only four Maryland private universities that provides a matching tuition award.
“As a Jesuit institution, Loyola University Maryland is proud to match the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship award as part of our mission to ensure academic excellence and opportunities for all learners,” said Melissa C. Mulieri, MAT program director at Loyola. “The matching tuition program creates wonderful possibilities for aspiring teachers—like Summer Pearson, who has demonstrated a commitment to the profession and her development as a teacher—to access high quality teacher education programs.”
Pearson chose Loyola because of its full-time MAT program. “I was elated to find a prestigious local program that would enable me to be in the classroom teaching within one year.”
Becoming a music teacher means Pearson can combine many of her interests. “Teaching provides a means for me to support young people and their families, and play a role in shaping their daily lives, future goals, and accomplishments,” Pearson said. “As a music teacher, I also get to share my passion for music. I’ve always looked for jobs that I would gladly do if there were no paycheck attached to it and I have found that with teaching music.”
Prior to pursuing her MAT, Pearson was an attorney with the federal government, a professional singer-songwriter, and served in various positions in education, including student assistant, tutor, and substitute teacher. Most recently, she attended Howard Community College to study music and theater.
Pearson, who currently resides in Ellicott City, Md., plans to fulfill the service obligation of the scholarship by teaching in Howard County or a surrounding county.
“I firmly believe that every child deserves a quality education with qualified and passionate teachers. I will be honored to serve in a school that might be underserved due to demographics, poverty, or other factors," Pearson said. She added, “I am really looking forward to learning and growing with the students. I find the energy kids share to be invigorating. I love that with young students, no day is the same.”
The Loyola University Maryland School of Education provides leading undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs that prepare effective, ethical educators, educational leaders, and counselors to improve learning for all children. Our nationally accredited and state-approved undergraduate and graduate programs equip our students with the knowledge, skills, tools, and support to become exceptionally prepared, social justice-minded educators and educational leaders. For more information, visit www.loyola.edu/school-education.