Shawna Seaton Marshall
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Shawna Seaton Marshall
I was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1974. As the eldest child and a Generation X societal member, I have survived many life adventures and struggles. One such struggle that I went through as a child was that of learning in school. I was undiagnosed as a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Displaced and told that I was learning disabled, I believed the words that were spoken over me. At forty, I finally obtained my lifelong desire of completing my college education and becoming a professional educator. I wanted to help students like me who found difficulties in learning. As a student, I hated school. It was a place that reminded me of all my shortcomings and reiterated the echo of the words that I was limited in my intellect. In college, I came to understand that my intellect was far greater than the ingrained limitations placed on me by uneducated educators of my era. I set out to defy limitations on other children and to find ways in which they could effectively learn. I have since taught many children to read, write, and solve math equations using creative efforts. I believe that each child is capable of learning when the education is presented in ways that they can grasp conceptually. I want children to love coming to school and to have the confidence that they are capable of what it takes to succeed.
Jake’s story is a success story about a boy who really struggles with reading. He is a reflection of one of my students who came to me after the school year had begun. He had never been to school so entering a second grade class was a brand new experience for him. It began when I taught him to hold a pencil. The realization that struck me when I discovered that he had not held a pencil yet was an enlightening experience. It also sparked, within me, a deep desire to find ways in which to help my new friend. Many of the things I taught Jake were not academic in nature. His fine motor skills were underdeveloped from a lack of use. You see, Jake came from an environment originally that was neglectful and abusive in unimaginable ways. My greatest goal with Jake was to teach him that there are adults in the world who will love and care for him genuinely. What began as holding a pencil evolved into learning to write and then, in turn, to reading. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my time with Jake was short. It was far briefer than the time I wished that I could have spent teaching him. Knowing that the time I did have with him was spent showing him the love and grace that he had not experienced in his short life gives me hope. My hope is that he will be able to look back fondly and recall the second grade teacher who truly cared, not only about his education but more importantly, his well-being. Jake impacted me and my career as an educator more profoundly than any other student I have taught. This first book in the series is a testament to the love that teachers offer freely to their students.
Writing is a passion for which I have had my entire life. Over the years, I have written copious amounts. It has been my lifelong passion to become a published author and to share my work with the world. I intend to fulfill that dream. The dream begins with Jake’s Journey to Read.
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