Leanne Marshall’s passion for education began as a high school English teacher. She always dreamed of earning her master’s degree in education. Leanne joined Pearson because she admired our commitment to education. Her career here evolved from an academic advisor and researcher to a success coach. Now, she’s a GED and Accelerated Pathways project manager in the Enterprise Learning and Skills division. “I did a lot of work really getting into the weeds of how education works, how higher education works, where I fit in, and how I can help. I’ve worked with students to help them find the tools they need to succeed in their coursework, and here we are over 12 years later,” Leanne said.
When the time was right, Leanne leveraged Pearson’s US tuition assistance to enroll in an 18-month Master of Education program. “There were several programs, and I ended up finding one in literacy and equity from a private school in Washington,” Leanne shared. “It was fully online, but the campus was only a couple of hours from my house, so there was a local feel to it, which was important to me.”
Designed for working professionals, the program provided flexibility with evening classes and a structured curriculum, allowing her to balance family and career commitments. But beyond core educational knowledge, Leanne appreciated the program’s focus on equity. Discussions with her cohort ensured every student felt seen, heard, and supported.
“I’ve lived and breathed education my whole life, and being a project manager has felt the farthest away from education I’ve been, but it’s extraordinarily important to me—for myself and for my kids,” Leanne said. “We have a very real responsibility to provide equitable education for all students. Good education looks different for everybody, right? So, we really have to figure out where students are and how best to serve them.”
Self-determination + family support = success!
Leanne lives in Blaine, Washington, with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. As an outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys camping, hiking, paddle boarding, and cheering her boys on at baseball games. And her passion for education extends beyond her career, volunteering at local schools and participating in fundraising initiatives to support her community.
Balancing all of this while pursuing her degree required careful planning and a strong support system. Evening classes and a rigorous schedule meant leaning on her supportive husband, who jumped in, driving their children to sports and other activities so Leanne had ample time to focus. Weekend study sessions became routine—from early mornings at home to Sunday afternoons in coffee shops while the kids stayed with their grandmother.
Though demanding, Leanne found the experience rewarding. She was admittedly tired but incredibly proud to finish. Completing the program became both a professional achievement and a personal milestone, and her children saw firsthand the value of hard work and persistence.
The value of learning goes beyond course costs
Leanne described the tuition assistance process as straightforward and appreciated Pearson’s commitment to investing in employees’ growth.
She encourages colleagues to take advantage of this benefit, emphasizing the value of choosing a program that matches personal and professional goals. Whether it leads to a promotion, career shifts, or personal satisfaction, the knowledge gained is invaluable. For Leanne, her degree has broadened her perspective on curriculum development and strengthened her expertise in assessing online learning. She’s also expanded her qualifications as a K-12 reading specialist and English language learner teacher, reaffirming her high school English teacher certification.
“Education has a way of surprising you,” Leanne reflected. “You might start a degree thinking it’s not applicable to your current role, but it always ends up being relevant in unexpected ways. You’re always learning, thinking, and applying.”
She credits the program for not only fulfilling a personal goal but also preparing her for future opportunities. Whether Leanne stays in project management or explores opportunities like curriculum development, these credentials open doors for her.
Despite the challenges, Leanne feels the sacrifices were worth it. Her experience reinforced that investing in oneself and working hard to achieve a goal always pays off.
Learn more about Pearson Accelerated Pathways.
This article originally appeared on Pearson’s Company Hub and was written by Camryn McCrary, Global Employee Communications Analyst
