Nora Conway ’25 M’26 | Education Major | Master of Education with Licensure in Special Education
I believe the knowledge and skills I am gaining will allow me to better support a much more diverse group of learners.
As an educator and graduate student, she actively applies concepts from her coursework to her classroom practice, with a focus on inclusive instruction and supporting students with diverse learning needs.
How did you hear about this graduate program?
I first heard about the graduate program from upperclassmen who were in the middle of completing it, as well as from several of my education professors—hearing about their positive experiences and the opportunities the program offered made me want to do it, too.
What has been your favorite graduate course thus far? Why?
My favorite graduate course thus far has been ED 530: Positive Behavior Supports. In this class, we learned more about students with disabilities and how their needs can differ from those of students without disabilities. This course helped me better understand how to create a classroom environment where students with diverse needs can succeed and feel supported.
Where do you hope this degree will take you next?
I have really enjoyed studying special education, and it is definitely something I see myself pursuing in the future. For now, though, I hope this degree will help me become a stronger classroom teacher. I believe the knowledge and skills I am gaining will allow me to better support a much more diverse group of learners.
What advice would you give to prospective graduate students?
It is definitely hard work, but it is also incredibly rewarding. My biggest advice would be to stay calm, flexible, and positive, even when things feel overwhelming. Connecting with other classmates in the program has been very helpful for me when I am struggling. The professors are also extremely supportive and truly want their students to succeed.
How has this program better prepared you as an educator?
This program has taught me so much about supporting diverse learners and differentiating instruction to meet individual needs. It has also helped me understand how much thought, planning, and collaboration go into developing IEPs and other supports for students. One of the most important lessons I have learned is the value of teamwork. Without a strong, collaborative team, it is difficult to fully support students. Whether I become a classroom teacher or a special education teacher, I now feel much more confident in my ability to help students succeed.
How have you applied what you are learning in this program to a real-life classroom setting?
I apply what I am learning almost every day. Learning about positive behavior supports has helped me manage and respond to challenging behaviors more effectively. The structured literacy course has also been extremely helpful when I am working with small literacy groups. I feel much more confident in providing targeted instruction to support student growth.