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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.”

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.

Bradley-Gnanou taught for five years at Mission Grammar and briefly took another position in Wilmington, Mass., before returning to Mission Grammar as principal. She’s currently the principal of the Rollins Early Childhood Center in Lawrence, Mass., and has been an administrator in Lawrence Public Schools for the past ten years. She lives in Salem, N.H., with her husband and two children, children Aleema and Aydin.

Emmanuel was not Maura’s first choice as an undergraduate, but it turned out to be the right one. “Emmanuel was life changing. High school was not a positive experience for me, and Emmanuel restored my confidence — I blossomed there. I fell in love with teaching, with Mission Grammar, and Mission Church. They became part of my life.”

Maura Bradley-Gnanou's journey exemplifies the invaluable role that Emmanuel College's Master of Education program played in shaping her career and personal growth. It serves as a testament to the power of education in empowering individuals to become lifelong learners, leaders, and champions of positive change in their communities.