Teen Robeson County student could earn her teaching degree by age 19

By Julian Grace, WRAL

Hannah Pearson, 17, is a college junior with a goal to become a licensed teacher in just two years. She just moved in to begin classes at UNC Pembroke.

Pearson said her favorite past time is learning.

“Because I just love to learn new information and just explore, learning many things,” said Pearson.

Her love for learning helped her graduate early from Fairmont High School, where her mom has been a teacher for 28 years.

Miranda McNair described her daughter, saying, “She is self-driven. Even into foreign languages. She [says], oh, I want to learn a new language, so she’ll learn Korean, learn Spanish and learn Portuguese.”

Starting in 10th grade, Hannah took advantage of North Carolina’s Career and College Promise Program.

Melissa Singler, president of Robeson Community College said, “It’s a free program which makes education very affordable for students. They can graduate from both high school and college at the same time.”

The program allowed Pearson to earn 60 college credits — and a challenge she eagerly took advantage of.

“I believe you can do anything you put your mind to,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how well the next person does it. The only thing that matters is you and your drive.”

Learn more about Pearson.

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