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.  She lives in North Andover with her husband, Brian, and their 7-year-old twins.

The Education Department at Fitchburg State is proud to announce that the first cohort for the Middle School Education (Initial Licensure) degree has nearly completed a full year. Read our latest blog from student Danielle Berthiaume to find out more about  her experience at Fitchburg State.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Danielle Berthiaume, and I am so excited I will be finishing my third course in the next week here at Fitchburg State as a part of cohort one. I am married to a wonderfully supportive husband; I am also a stepmom of three children and mom of two lovely boys, ages five and five months. I keep myself busy on all fronts, as we enjoy camping and the beach in the summer. Fall and spring bring sports including swimming, soccer and dek hockey all for my son, as well as dek hockey for myself. I tend to overcommit and find myself stressed to the max, but with the help of my husband I have found success at this point in my life.

Ranee’ Maree’ Wright received the Graduate Student Leadership Award at our 2017 winter commencement.  Ranee’ has worked in health care for 14 years and thrives on challenges.  As a forensic nurse examiner in her native Wisconsin, she cares for patients in crisis as they are photographed following sexual assaults and domestic violence. She also works at the Wisconsin Resource Center, caring for prison inmates in a psychiatric setting.

Her care for this diverse patient population is motivated by a fundamental tenet of nursing – everyone deserves to be treated with compassion, and the nurse’s primary task is to advocate for their patients.

Following her studies at Fitchburg State, Ranee’ seeks to continue her education as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, where she hopes to continue broadening the scope and practice of her chosen field.  She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Jeremy, and their children.

Shea Pugh earned widespread admiration during her time at Fitchburg State, including receiving one of its highest honors the Graduate Student Leadership Award.

Pugh believes the best teachers care about their students’ lives beyond the classroom. She brings enthusiasm, care and compassion to her work, demonstrating a special talent helping students who require some additional guidance and support. She has been cited for her expertise in working with students with extreme behavioral challenges. "I believe all students can learn so I want to help them do that."        

After Anderlene Streeks graduated from high school she decided to continue her education at nursing school. Her degree plans sat on a shelf, however, as she stayed home to raise her five sons.