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"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your relationships. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."
- Steve Jobs
All About Me
All About Me
Image source: Personal collection
My name is Wesleigh Harrison and I am a creative and driven college counselor dedicated to broadening my skills and knowledge for the virtual world of teaching and counseling.
My passion for teaching and counseling has grown steadily over the past three years working as a College Readiness Coach for Cal-SOAP at a border high school in San Diego County serving low-income, first generation students to gain knowledge about college and career, financial aid and the steps to pursue post-secondary education.
Working with and serving students is where I find myself fully expressed, utilizing my strengths to assist students at every step of their college and career journey. Through the challenges I faced in my own college journey, I greatly benefited from the guidance and support of my college counselors to get to where I am today. It is that personal experience that has helped me connect and relate to my students and empower them choose their own path in life.
I am a San Diego Native and currently reside in San Diego with my beloved parents and three kitties. I enjoy spending time with my friends, doing yoga, swimming, dancing, sewing and making collage art.
Why Leading Edge?
Why Leading Edge?
During my Masters program at Point Loma Nazarene University, I took several online courses and walked away from those experiences wondering how they could have been better.
In my mind the future of higher education was already heading to mostly online formats and I wanted to be ready to enter the work force with skills and experiences that would prepare me to teach and counsel students virtually. Little did I know that this interest in online education would turn into a passion for helping humanize the online course experience but also the biggest economic and cultural shift the world has seen with the COVID-19 pandemic.
My experience going through this Leading Edge Certification has opened my eyes to the great responsibility of online educators to ensure equity, accessibility and quality online teaching strategy and instructional design for the success of all students. This course has allowed me to hone my skills for teaching by creating meaningful learning activities and resources to grow skillsets and mindsets in our ever changing world. After completing this course I feel confident in continuing to pursue professional development to grow my knowledge and skills and to share my passion and learning with my students.
A Portrait of Who I Am
A Portrait of Who I Am
My husband Scott and I taking a selfie after our Covid-19 Civil Ceremony
My best friend Lindsey and I hiking in Arkansas
One of my very first collage art pieces titled "Sprout"
Upcycling this thrifted red velvet jacket by adding sleeve cuff embellishments
Social Presence and Community in Online Courses
Social Presence and Community in Online Courses
Masters Thesis Presentation Recording (Zoom).mp4This is the Google Slide presentation video recording of my Masters Thesis Defense, "Student Perceptions of Social Presence and Community in Online Courses."
Since the beginning of my Masters research, I have been fascinated by the rapidly changing field of online education and its relevance in the COVID-19 era. This research has helped me to learn different strategies and best practices for creating online environments that foster community and social engagement.
I am proud of the work I have accomplished and am continuing to develop my skills for my work with students virtually.
Distance Learning Best Practices
Distance Learning Best Practices
One of the recent skills I have acquired is video editing.
Here is a video collaboration I created with two peers from PLNU for the students at Cuyamaca College transitioning to online courses.
I am proud of this video project because, as a team, we collectively came up with content and presented it in a clear and concise format that is professional and informative.
10 Distance Learning Best Practices
*All photos are sourced from my personal collection unless otherwise noted.
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