Beginning her college career at Golden West College at just 16 years old, Alaa Shehadeh faced the unique challenge of navigating higher education at a younger age than most of her peers. “It was difficult at times as I had less experience and was constantly surrounded by people older than me,” she recalls. Despite this, Alaa found a welcoming and supportive environment at Golden West College.
While at GWC, she immersed herself in campus life through the Future Teachers of America club, Alpha Gamma Sigma honor society and student government. She credits these extracurriculars and GWC’s Education program for thoroughly preparing her for transfer to Cal State Long Beach and, eventually, a master’s program at the University of Southern California and the classroom.
Now a fourth-grade teacher in the Cypress School District, Alaa says the hands-on experiences at GWC gave her the confidence to step into her first teaching role. “The professors [at Golden West College] were amazing and the classes aligned with current teaching practices which made post-grad work so much easier,” she says. One course, Teaching in Diverse and Contemporary Classrooms, stood out as especially valuable in helping her support all types of learners. She also cites Professor Bridgette Gergens as a major influence. “She was the most amazing role model,” Alaa said. “Her knowledge of teaching was endless. Her kindness, empathy and ability to make learning fun really inspired me.”
Alaa dreamed of becoming a teacher since childhood, and from the moment she stepped onto campus she knew she had found the right place to start that journey. “I heard such amazing things about Golden West College from friends and relatives, so I knew becoming an education major there would be a perfect fit for me,” she said. That decision paid off, as nearly every course she took left a lasting impact on her development. She fondly remembers the mock lessons assigned in her education classes, which required students to teach in front of their peers — an experience that helped her lead a room full of young learners.
Today, Alaa describes her classroom as a “joyous, calm place for students to learn and feel comfortable.” She loves working with fourth-grade students and finds joy in both the students themselves and the curriculum she teaches. Her ultimate goal is to continue teaching fourth grade, but she’s also open to expanding her reach in the future. “I would be interested in possibly becoming a professor someday to teach other students how to become teachers as well,” she says.
Reflecting on her experience, Alaa highly recommends Golden West College’s education program to others. “It was such a fun place to learn, and the professors are so knowledgeable on the topics, which made me feel comfortable jumping into a classroom setting.” Her journey, which began as a teenager determined to follow her dream, has now come full circle: with her own classroom, her own students, and a career that continues to inspire.
