Are you interested in Fitchburg State's education programs? As part of the GCE blog's "Our Faculty" series, we introduce Teacher in Residence and Fitchburg State alum, Professor Stephen Celona.

After graduating in 1991 with a bachelor of science degree, I went on to serve many different roles in the field of education. Those roles have included many different teaching experiences, as well as administrative roles later on in my career.

Although I continued my education, completing my graduate degree elsewhere in 2001, I truly believe that it was my undergraduate time at Fitchburg State that instilled in me the content and strategies needed to be a knowledgeable, skillful, ethical, and caring educator. 

I'm too busy.

I don't feel comfortable being the old... most experienced person in the classroom.

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.

Educators, if you missed our webinar, no worries.  Here's the video of the recorded webinar and a list of all the questions asked. And if you still have questions, just click on the "Speak to an advisor" button at the end of this post and get all of your questions answered.

We've partnered for your success! Fitchburg State’s master of education in special education, guided studies with a focus in dyslexia provides elementary and secondary school teachers not only the foundation to better understand language based disorders like dyslexia, but also certifies teachers in both WRS Levels I & II  through its unique one-of-a-kind partnership with the internationally renowned Wilson Language Program^®.

Students complete four required courses, including a capstone course on implementation of best practices, and 27 credits in three goal areas with content meeting the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading set forth by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Three courses are associated with Wilson Reading Level I Certification, three courses are associated with Wilson Reading Level II Certification, and the three courses in the Foundations of Literacy goal area have been selected to meet IDA standards.

Read on for some frequently asked questions and answers about our program. Or better yet, attend our webinar on May 3 at 5 pm!

May I complete the Wilson Language Training^® program through Fitchburg State University?
Wilson Language Training® is not offered on campus. Students must complete Wilson Level 1 and 2 in partnership with a school district. If you have questions related to course availability or content, please contact the Wilson Language Training customer service center at 1-800-899-8454 or email them at info@wilsonlanguage.com.

Educators, if you missed our webinar, no worries. We've got you covered! Here's the video of the recorded webinar and a list of all the questions asked. And if you still have questions, just click on the "Speak to an advisor" button at the end of this post and get all of your questions answered.

If you missed our webinar, no worries. We've got you covered! Here's the video of the recorded webinar and a list of all the questions asked. And if you still have questions, follow the "Speak to an advisor" link at the end of this post and get all of your questions answered.

Watch our video recording of the webinar.

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.

Fitchburg State offers two options for the master of science counseling program:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• School Counseling, PreK-8 and/or 5-12