Alumni & Student Profiles

Bob Manseau was named Principal of the Year for his work in New Hampshire, but its his education from UMass Lowell that made the difference for him.

Michael Aloisi always knew that he wanted to teach. The College of Education is helping him discover all the ways that he can do it – even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duc Vu discovered his ability to teach in high school, so he signed up for the UTeach program in STEM education.

Joyce Vega is grateful for all of the scholarships she was able to apply for through UML’s scholarship portal.

Leslie Marrero says schools are already inviting her to apply for teaching jobs because she’s earning dual certification in teaching students with moderate disabilities.

Ryan Descheneaux was inspired to teach by his uncle.

Ralph Saint-Louis ’18, ’20 was recognized by Time Magazine as one of its 2022 Innovative Teachers.

Science teacher Karin Loach says UMass Lowell’s well-paced and structured online Doctor of Education program was a perfect fit.

As an alum and a coach, Norm Bazin makes the River Hawks proud on and off the ice.

Thomas Heywosz’s experiences in the UTeach program and in Haiti have made him a successful high school math teacher.

Assoc. Prof. Iman Chahine helps teachers understand how different systems of mathematics serve different cultures. Her research focuses on how indigenous and techno-literate societies engage in mathematics through daily practices.

Varsha Perkins loves both her teaching and honors classes.

Declan Burke struggled in school as a child. Now he plans to become a special education teacher.

Edward Morante says his studies in education and English, and his participation in the DifferenceMaker program, are preparing him to teach children of all ages.

Melanie Carignan is so enthusiastic about the undergraduate education major that she volunteered to be the College of Education’s first alumni ambassador.

A scholarship endowed in memory of the late English teacher and lecturer Socrates Lagios helped Christina Sirignano complete her master’s degree in education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Matthew Beyranevand produces and hosts “Math with Matthew,” a public access cable television show that combines comedy and music to help pre-teen children understand mathematics without even realizing it.

Eleanora Peters fell in love with teaching at the Boston Museum of Science.

Roberto Rivera combined a B.A. in English literature and Spanish and Italian with a master’s degree in education to become an ESL teacher in the Lawrence schools.

Retired special collections librarian Martha Mayo ’92 collects art – and supports art at UMass Lowell (UML).

Asst. Prof. Robai Werunga works on providing early intervention to students who may have learning or behavioral disabilities. She says cultural factors play a part in determining which children get timely help – and which ones get unnecessary services.

John Martin ’10 ’13 went from ho-hum high school student to Teacher of the Year in the Connecticut district where he teaches high school English.

Matt Crowley, part of a team that led a radical turnaround in Brockton High School, is bringing his literacy campaign to the Woburn public schools.

Sydney Fagundes has found her calling: teaching young children, with a focus on science and math.

Janelle Christopher started studying at UMass Lowell at the same time as her mom, Lorraine.

Biology teacher Morgan Tierno’s student teaching and first year on the job were complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and major social issues. But, she says, UTeach prepared her for those challenges.

A Lowell elementary school is named for Gertrude M. Bailey ’48, who taught countless Lowell schoolchildren and mentored a generation of student teachers.

Until her senior year of high school, Angela Messina assumed she couldn’t afford college. But thanks to scholarships and work, she’s pursuing her dream of being a public school teacher.

Through leadership opportunities as a student-athlete, exercise physiology graduate Amanda Baptiste found her voice — and discovered her calling to become a high school biology teacher.

Neil Oliveria, already a grandfather, is pursuing degrees in history and education so he can embark on a new career as a teacher.

Matthew Olson, dean of humanities and social science at Middlesex Community College, says there is a direct connection between the doctorate he earned in Leadership in Schooling and his current job.

When Payal Patel started college as an engineering major, she missed tutoring and teaching – so she decided to make education her career.