Shannon Copeland is a native of Charlottesville, VA. She has chosen later in her life to pursue a teaching degree. This fall 2008 she will graduate with her Associate's in Education and then move on to complete her Bachelor's through the Mary Baldwin Adult Degree Program.

Shannon has three boys she is raising while simultaneously completing her endeavors. Her eldest son is now a junior in high school and will soon be moving on to further his education. The younger boys are first and second graders at Woodbrook Elementary.

She currently works for the city and county school systems as a substitute teacher. She has also done several long term substitutions that have given her necessary experience in all areas of teaching. Working as a substitute allows her to devote more time to her children and studies because she is now on their schedule.

"I believe that no matter what age you are, you should try your best to obtain your positive goals. Since I have restarted this journey I always keep in my mind the motto I set in place for myself: I didn't just choose the profession of teaching, but teaching also chose me."