Shana Brown of Kennedy to teach in China

ERIE, PA (09/26/2013)(readMedia)-- When opportunity came knocking for three 2013 Mercyhurst University early childhood education grads - including Shana Brown of Kennedy, N.Y., to teach overseas, they seized the chance.

Brown joins fellow grads Jenna Gannon and Tawney Johnson in accepting 10-month teaching positions in Ningbo, China, through China's leading education service provider, Dipont Education.

The young women are currently in Ningbo, preparing to embark on a new after-school initiative that will have them using their native tongue and an American curriculum to teach English, math, science and art in a preschool program for Chinese children.

Besides her classroom experience, Brown has prepared for her first teaching job through hands-on learning opportunities like working at Mercyhurst's Carpe Diem Academy and volunteering at The Quality of Life Learning Center working with children of refugees, both in Erie, Pa.

"I have learned a lot in the classroom, but I feel like I learned much more when immersed in the schools," said Brown. "At Mercyhurst, the professors are guiding you every step of the way, and the clinicals are something that have really paid off in terms of gaining experience working with kids."

About Mercyhurst University

Mercyhurst University, founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy, is a fully accredited, four-year, Catholic comprehensive institution in Erie, Pa. The university offers more than 100 majors, minors and concentrations as well as unique post-baccalaureate, advanced certificate and eight master's degree programs. In 2013, the university introduced its first doctoral program in archaeology. In addition, Mercyhurst provides certificate and associate degree offerings at branch campuses in North East, Corry and the Booker T. Washington Center. Learn more at www.mercyhurst.edu.