Melinda Pullen Pierson ’94 wanted to teach in the toughest schools after earning a degree and secondary credential in English. Inspired by her deaf cousins and fieldwork at a deaf school, she got a job in special education at an elementary school in a poor, urban area, later moving to a middle school and then a high school. Eventually, she earned a special education credential and master’s degree at CSU Fullerton and a doctorate in special education at UC Riverside—all while teaching full time. 1 Column Content Background Color White Ali...