WHILE single mum Shannon Fieldgate donned her graduation cap and gown at Essex University, her proud daughter celebrated her fifth birthday.

It was an emotional celebration for the 22-year-old English literature graduate who fell pregnant in her teens, but was determined not to be a stereotype.

The news initially brought her dreams of being a teacher "crumbling down" as she questioned her future, but the teen mum's A-level success was featured in the Gazette in 2015.

READ MORE: YOUNG MUM SHANNON EARNS HER DREAM PLACE AT UNIVERSITY

In her own words she "powered through" with huge help from her family, juggling Ava's 6am wake-ups and sometimes midnight bedtime with a rigorous study schedule.

Shannon, of Monkwick, said: "The day was lovely and all the important people to me were there. I'll be sad to leave university so it was an emotional day in that sense, but I'm ready to leave.

Braintree and Witham Times:

"There's been a lot of people at university and college who were so helpful and I've been very lucky my parents, and family, have been so accepting and supportive.

"Ava's also helped me a lot. There's been times when I've been so down and stressed and felt like giving up, but looking at your child, you remember you're doing it for them.

"Now I've achieved something and it's great to feel that I can."

Shannon has two more years of studying: teacher training, hopefully at Colchester Teacher Training Consortium, in September, and then she must complete her newly qualified teacher (NQT) year.

"I'm a little bit nervous," she said.

"Teacher training is stricter than university, but I'm very excited. If I can handle five A-levels and a degree, I think I'll be okay."

Discovering Shannon was pregnant came as a shock to her parents Angela and Mark, but still, they wanted her to pursue everything she ever dreamed of.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Pictured when Shannon received her A-level results

Her advice to young parents in a similar situation is to get all the advice they can get about the financial, academic and emotional support available.

But most importantly, to stay motivated and remember the positive impact on a child when they see their parent is striving.

Book lover Ava is testament to that.

She said: "Ava always used to try and look through the books I was reading and use the words herself, and ask what they meant.

"She understands to get a really good job, or at least the job I'd like, she has to go to school and college for a long time.

"Ava has told me she wants to go to university too and be a doctor already. That's why I really wanted her to be at my graduation because it's great for her to have a role model.

"I'm not with her father and thought it would take its toll on her, but it hasn't at all. I've done this all for her."