Marie Pearson

BA (Hons) Deaf Studies and Linguistics, 2000

Postgraduate Certificate in Education, 2005

Marie knew that she wanted to teach deaf children from as early as 14 years old. Originally intending to study a human communication course at another university, Marie was excited to find out about the University’s Deaf Studies course on a weekend visit to her friends who were current students.

“I only intended to come to Wolverhampton to visit my friends and watch a match at the Molineux stadium but while I was here I saw an advert for the Open Day and decided to pop long. I’d never heard of a Deaf Studies degree before so I was really excited to learn I was able to do it.”

Marie was so impressed with the University that she applied to study Deaf Studies with Linguistics and came back to the next Open Day to show her mum.

“We both loved the place so much so that I put Wolverhampton as my first choice university.”

And once Marie enrolled she wasn’t disappointed with the course.

“I enjoyed the course immensely. The lecturers knew their subject and their passion showed in lectures,” she explains. “To assist our learning we had access to a video lab and great range of sign language videos to gather research towards our assignments.”

After graduating in 2000 Marie stayed with the University as a Students’ Union officer; a post which she was successfully elected into for two years running.

Marie then went on to work as a children’s worker at a local college and as a children’s worker for a local church. Although Marie enjoyed her jobs she wanted to progress her career further and decided to return to the University to study a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

“Although the workload was greater, the support of staff was fantastic. There was always someone readily available to offer suggestions for teaching practice and the whole course quickly established the need for professional attitudes and standards.”

After successfully completing her PGCE Marie worked for five years in two primary schools in Wolverhampton.

“I felt I was giving something back to the city after receiving so much through my time as a student.”

But it was in 2010 when Marie finally got her dream job when she was offered the post of trainee teacher of deaf children in Leeds. Together with her husband, who was also a Wolverhampton graduate, Marie set out for her new career.

“Moving was a big decision for us but a good one as we are both now working in jobs related to our studies.”

And it’s not just the pupils that are learning; Marie’s new role is teaching her something too.

“At the moment I’m learning new sign language signs for a primary school audience and I’m even learning new signs for the regional dialect,” she explains.  “It’s a challenge but it’s rewarding when you see a child achieve and I know that the skills I learnt during my four years at the university stand me in good stead.”

Marie will soon be continuing her studies with an MA in Deaf Education.