HFC alumna earns UM-Dearborn Dean’s Medallion and starts teaching career

HFC alumna Shannon Wronski is one of 12 outstanding students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn who earned the Dean’s Medallion at the Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremonies in December.

“I am honored to win the Dean’s Medallion,” said Wronski. “There are so many UM-Dearborn students who deserve this. I was surprised they picked me. I feel blessed that my professors noticed how hard I worked completing my courses as a mom of four. I hope this accomplishment will motivate my children to work hard and to always do their best.”

Excellence in mathematics

Wronski will graduate from UM-Dearborn with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a focus on mathematics. She has her K-8 teaching certification through the State of Michigan.

Wronski attended UM-Dearborn on the Go Blue Guarantee, the CEW+ Scholarship/Molly H. Dobson Scholarship, and the Pi Lambda Theta Scholarship. During her time at UM-Dearborn, she has been a James B. Angell Scholar, a member of the UM-Dearborn Honors Program, and made the Dean’s List each semester at the university.

“Shannon is a dedicated and accomplished student who has consistently excelled in her math classes,” said UM-Dearborn Associate Professor of Mathematics Education Dr. Nesrin Cengiz-Phillips. “Her success goes beyond mastering the material. Shannon deeply understands that effective mathematics teaching involves appreciating others' diverse perspectives and building on their ideas. She is passionate about helping others by fostering collaborative learning. The professors and students greatly appreciated having Shannon in our classes.”

Daughter and mother

The eldest of two daughters, Wronski was born in Wyandotte and raised in Southgate. She lives with her husband of 15 years and their four children in Dearborn.

Wronski is a graduate of Anderson High School in Southgate. She completed coursework at HFC, particularly in mathematics, studying with retired mathematics instructor Dr. Deborah Zopf, whom she called her mentor.

“Dr. Zopf inspired me to major in mathematics,” said Wronski. “One day after class, she told me that she hoped I would major in mathematics; she believed in me. She was an extraordinary teacher. She was always available for her students and would patiently repeat things to help us understand. She taught concepts thoroughly and had high expectations. I took all three of the Math for Elementary Teachers courses with her because I gained so much from her teaching methods. Dr. Zopf encompasses all of the qualities I hope to develop as a teacher.”

Zopf expressed her pride in her former student and is honored to hear that Wronski found her influence inspiring.

“Ms. Wronski was an outstanding student, student leader, and prospective teacher while she was at HFC and she continued to demonstrate such excellence as she pursued her bachelor’s degree,” said Zopf. “The Mathematics for Elementary Teachers classes concentrate on mathematics for teaching children. Fundamental mathematics – the mathematics that undergirds teaching – is the focus. Pre-service teachers learn mathematics concepts and representations. They develop written and oral communication skills for teaching children. They work together to talk about, troubleshoot, and improve their knowledge of mathematics and their ability to communicate this knowledge. They develop skills such as reviewing children’s and peers’ work to learn interpersonal communication skills important for teaching. They move pre-service teachers from knowing mathematics to teaching mathematics. Ms. Wronski excelled in all these aspects.”

Zopf pointed out that Wronski pursued her teaching certificate at a time when the State of Michigan was changing pathways and certification endorsements. She remained undaunted.

“Ms. Wronski maintained excellence throughout her time at HFC while managing her home, helping her elderly parents, and raising four children,” said Zopf. “She is a student to be admired and is very deserving of the Dean’s Medallion at UM-Dearborn. It was my privilege to work with her.”

Puzzles with numbers and letters

Wronski returned to academics after having her children. She spoke about why she decided to enroll at HFC.

“A friend, Dr. Asia Mohamed Al-Jalal, teaches at ESL at HFC,” said Wronski. “She told me about her education journey and how HFC was a good place to start my education to become a teacher. She helped me by explaining the process and what I needed to get started.”

Wronski also spoke about what inspired her to going into teaching mathematics.

“I always loved school as a child,” said Wronski. “When I had my own children, I enjoyed reading to them and teaching them. I volunteered at their school and eventually became a Pre-K teaching assistant. I loved working with the kids. The interactions with them and seeing their growth motivated me to pursue this career. I want to help students succeed and help them develop a love of learning.”

She continued: “I love math. To me, math problems are puzzles just with numbers and sometimes letters. I love the rewarding feeling of working to understand an equation or making sense of why certain equations work. I have struggled to find the solution to something, and it felt so amazing once I figured it out. We use math in our daily lives, and I hope I can help my students have a better understanding of mathematical concepts and know that they can master mathematics.”

Digital escape room

In the Winter 2023 semester, Wronski worked in a sixth-grade classroom at Woodworth Middle School in Dearborn, helping small groups of students with mathematics. She completed her reading practicum in a kindergarten classroom at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, which allowed her to observe classroom management and assist students. She also provided reading lessons and worked one-on-one.

“The thing I love the most about teaching is the relationships I develop with the students,” said Wronski. “I enjoy watching them learn and how happy they get when they experience that ‘a-ha’ moment and finally understand something!”

Through her math methods course at UM-Dearborn, Wronski made four visits to Clarenceville Middle School in Livonia, where she worked with students in a sixth-grade classroom and provided a number-strings lesson. Through her science capstone course, Wronski created action plans using best practices to close achievement gaps. She focused one plan on problem-based learning and another on game-based learning. Wronski utilized this research and technology to create a digital escape room. She spoke about her approach to teaching mathematics.

“I hope to facilitate learning to help students discover strategies. I plan to ask them questions to understand their thinking and lead them to find the solution. I hope my love of math and problem-solving will positively impact their feelings about learning math,” said Wronski.

In the Fall 2024 semester, Wronski completed her student teaching at Salina Intermediate School in Dearborn. She was a student teacher for Sumayah Musleh in her fifth-grade classroom.

“She was the best cooperating teacher I could ask for,” said Wronski. “She welcomed me into her classroom and taught me all she could to prepare me for my own classroom. She allowed me to be hands-on as much as possible and get the most out of my experience. I am sad to be leaving her. She is amazing!”

A "vital" experience at HFC

Wronski has a full-time position lined up. In early 2025, she will become an ELL Title 1 Interventionist at William Ford Elementary.

“I got offered a position as a resource teacher for the rest of the 2024-25 academic year. I hope to have my own classroom next year. I plan to teach upper elementary for a few years before possibly teaching middle school math. I am not sure I will ever want to leave the classroom, but if I do, I might aim toward becoming a math coach. I know wherever I do end up, I want to do something that allows me to have the opportunity to work with kids,” explained Wronski.

"Shannon is truly inspiring,” said Al-Jalal. “Balancing her education while raising four children is no easy task, but she is determined to achieve her goals and always strives for excellence. She takes her studies seriously, listens with an open mind, and genuinely wants to grow academically and professionally. While working on her degree, Shannon has been an incredible friend, providing me with invaluable support throughout my doctoral journey. Graduating with the Dean’s Medallion is a well-deserved recognition of her hard work and exceptional character, and I couldn't be happier for her!"

Wronski credits HFC as being “vital” in her educational journey. She doesn’t believe she would’ve achieved the success she had at UM-Dearborn had she not attended HFC first.

“Dr. Zopf motivated me and taught me how I can teach students, and Dr. Gary McIlroy helped me develop my writing skills,” said Wronski. “HFC helped prepare me for courses at U-M Dearborn, especially as a student who has spent more than a decade out of school. I am grateful for all that I learned at HFC.”