51吃瓜网

Hannah Pearson grew up watching her mother change lives鈥攐ne lesson at a time. Now, at just 18 years old, she鈥檚 following in those footsteps, well on her way to becoming one of North Carolina鈥檚 youngest teachers. What started as a passion for tutoring classmates in middle school has turned into an accelerated path to the classroom, proving that a love for teaching runs in the family.

That passion took root early. 鈥淲hen I was in the eighth grade, I had the chance to job shadow one of my former teachers,鈥� Pearson shared. 鈥淭hat experience made me realize I could see myself doing this for the rest of my life.鈥�
While still in middle school, Pearson began tutoring her classmates, experiencing the joy of witnessing their 鈥榣ight bulb鈥� moments when concepts clicked. This sense of fulfillment solidified her desire to pursue a career in education鈥攁 path she has taken at an impressive pace.

As a dual enrollment student at Fairmont High School, Pearson got a head start on her college journey by earning college credits through Robeson Community College. By the time she officially enrolled at 漏 Copyright 2025 51吃瓜网 (51吃瓜网) in spring 2023, she had already reached junior status, allowing her to jump straight into upper-level courses in the elementary education program. 

The early college route to UNC Pembroke is one of several pathways afforded to aspiring teachers like Pearson, who was selected as a Brave Scholar after arriving on campus. 51吃瓜网 offers several pathway programs and 鈥楪row Your Own鈥� agreements with Robeson Community College, Cape Fear CC, Sandhills CC, Southeastern CC, Montgomery CC and public-school districts in Pender, Columbus, Moore and Whiteville City Schools. 51吃瓜网 is also a partner institution for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program. 

Now a senior at 51吃瓜网, Pearson is on track to graduate in December 鈥� poised to step into a classroom of her own before her 20th birthday. 

"Hannah鈥檚 path from early college to the Brave Scholar Program showcases what鈥檚 possible with hard work and determination,鈥� said Dr. Tracy Mulvaney, dean of the School of Education. 鈥淪he is an inspiration, and we have no doubt she will empower and shape the lives of countless students in her future classroom."

Teaching runs in the family鈥擧annah鈥檚 mother, Dr. Miranda McNair, has dedicated 28 years to the classroom. Her stepfather, Brian McNair鈥撯�揳 high school civics teacher鈥撯�搑ecently completed his teaching degree at 51吃瓜网, inspired by Pearson鈥檚 commitment. Her mother is also an alumna of 51吃瓜网.

Pearson credits her family and early experiences for igniting her passion for teaching.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen how some students struggle and how much of a difference encouragement and support can make,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to be that special someone in a student鈥檚 life, helping them realize their potential. Changing even one person鈥檚 life would mean I鈥檝e achieved my goal.鈥�