For Maura Bradley-Gnanou ’96, ’99G, the decision to continue her education at Emmanuel College and pursue a master’s degree in education was an easy one.
As an undergraduate, she had cultivated close connections, not only within the College but also with the community, particularly Mission Grammar School and Mission Church, and wanted to maintain those bonds.
“It was a continuation of what was working for me and a continuation of the relationships that I had with people and the supports they offered,” she said. “I had a connection to the neighborhood, to the community. It was never a question of pursuing another graduate program. Emmanuel had faith in me, and I had faith in Emmanuel. Once you’re part of the College community, you’re part of it forever.”
The Master of Education program at Emmanuel instilled in Maura a culture of lifelong learning and reflective practice — and it satisfied the state’s requirement that public school educators earn a master’s degree in education to become fully licensed teachers. Maura explained that the blend of theoretical insights, methodological approaches, and real-world application equipped her with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in various roles within the education field. Additionally, the program's structure, including weekend classes, accommodated her busy schedule as a full-time teacher, an example of Emmanuel's commitment to accessibility and practicality.
“The program opened doors for me, allowing me to advance my career from teacher to administrator. I always have felt very, very well prepared in terms of the technical aspects and the methodology and the theory of the teaching profession, but also equally as important, was the idea that you're going to keep learning and that you must be reflective. Like students, teachers are lifelong learners,” she said. “That was instilled in me by people like Dr. Tobin [the chair of the department at the time], Dr. Merritt, and Sister Karen [Hokanson]. Dr. Tobin emphasized that teaching is a noble profession and the importance of embracing Emmanuel’s spirit and mission to affect meaningful change in line with the philosophy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Nemur.”