---
title: "Our Students: Michelle Downey, M.Ed in Special Education, Moderate Disabilities"
description: Meet recent Fitchburg State grad and Graduate Leadership Award recipient, Michelle Downey who is off to a great start in her career in Special Education, Moderate Disabilities with a new job and her master's degree. Want to learn more? Attend our August 1 webinar.
image: https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hubfs/MichelleDowney-1.jpg
---
[](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/)
## [Our Students: Michelle Downey, M.Ed in Special Education, Moderate Disabilities](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/our-students-michelle-downey-m.ed-in-special-education-moderate-disabilities)
Posted by [Kimberly McCoy-Blauser](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/author/kimberly-mccoy-blauser) on July 9, 2018 at 10:03 AM
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Michelle Downey received the Graduate Student Leadership Award at our 2018 spring graduate commencement. Michelle's path to Fitchburg State began when she worked in academic publishing sales for 15 years and worked with professors on how to best meet their needs. From her sales background, she had the benefit of getting to work with professors from colleges all over the state. Michelle chose Fitchburg State because of the professors she met here.
"They advocate for their students, help foster relationships with colleagues and, ultimately, led me to fall in love with teaching," she said.
Earlier this year Michelle obtained her first full-time teaching job and looks forward to continuing her new career path in [Special Education, Moderate Disabilities](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/graduate-studies/graduate-programs/special-education-med-moderate-disabilities/). She lives in North Andover with her husband, Brian, and their 7-year-old twins.
**Did the program meet your expectations?**
Yes, as a student, I am grateful to all of the professors who guided me to my master’s degree. So much of what they taught me has already been put to use. Dr. Robert Shapiro's positive support techniques have been a huge help in responding to challenging classroom behaviors. Dr. Janna Heiligenstein, helped me to teach students whose first language isn't English. Dr. Ruth Joseph, encouraged me to always differentiate my instruction. Dr. Nancy Murray gave me her friendship, guidance, and believed that I could finish graduate school while letting my young children roller skate throughout my house.
**What advice do you have for others looking to pursue a graduate degree?
**We all take risks when we begin our graduate education. Most of us have a lot more on our plates than we did when we got our undergraduate degrees. As we move forward in our changing world, remember that one person can change the world by giving people hope. One person can make it better. Take Malala, the girl from Pakistan who risked her life to show that girls should be educated. Thomas Jefferson, Mother Teresa, Abe Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Princess Diana, Steve Jobs, the Pope…these people gave people hope and hope changes people’s lives.
A graduate education at Fitchburg State prepares you for new professional challenges. Use all of the things you learn in getting your graduate degree, and be that person who changes the world.
Want more information on our Special Education, Moderate and Severe Disabilities graduate programs? Attend our August 1 webinar.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/376696/12b6d254-c2d6-419c-9658-6dfcce9741a5)
Want to talk to someone sooner? Email [gceadvisor@fitchburgstate.edu](mailto:gceadvisor@fitchburgstate.edu) or call 978-665-3182 to speak to an advisor.
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