Miguel Valencia’s path to teaching was not a straight line—but that is precisely what makes his story such a perfect example of °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï’s mission to meet students where they are and prepare them for meaningful, career‑ready futures.
Currently a first‑year graduate student in Molloy’s Teacher Education Department, Miguel is pursuing secondary education in English alongside a K–12 concentration in Students with Disabilities. While his current academic focus is teaching, his professional journey began elsewhere. Miguel earned his undergraduate degree in Social Media Marketing and spent a short time working in advertising. Despite early career success, he quickly realized that life in an office was not where he was meant to be.
“For a very long time, I knew this wasn’t my calling,” Miguel shared. “My true calling was to be in a classroom, and it’s something I have always wanted to do. Molloy really gave me the opportunity to restart and carve a path of my own choosing.”
The opportunity to change direction is something °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï proudly extends to many students. Through personalized advising, hands-on learning, and a strong network of faculty support, Molloy’s Teacher Education Department is uniquely designed to help both traditional and returning students transition confidently into the teaching profession. Returning to school after time away was not without its challenges. Miguel admits that adjusting to academic life again—balancing coursework, work responsibilities, and personal commitments—was difficult at first. What made the difference, he says, was the unwavering support of Molloy’s faculty. With dedicated faculty mentorship, real-world placements, and a welcoming environment for career changers, Molloy empowers students to not only find a profession but to find their purpose.
“The department has been nothing but wonderful,” Miguel said. “Dr. Patterson was always understanding and accommodating. Professors truly understand the difficulty of balancing life and work, especially as someone who’s returning to school.”
“Miguel came to Molloy with valuable real-world experience and the courage to pursue a new direction,” said Dr. Katherine Patterson, Assistant Professor and Student Empowerment Lead in the School of Education and Human Services at Molloy. “Our goal is to help students recognize how those experiences strengthen their ability to succeed as future educators.”
Faculty mentorship is a cornerstone of Molloy’s Teacher Education Department, extending beyond the classroom and directly into professional placement. Miguel experienced this first-hand when he began applying for school-based roles. Today, he works as a teacher’s aide at his own alma mater, Farmingdale High School.
“I really want to give credit to Dr. Giouroukakis,” Miguel said. “She made sure my résumé was considered, and because of that opportunity, I discovered my love for working with students with special needs and disabilities.”
The School of Education and Human Services Associate Dean and Professor, Dr. Vicky Giouroukakis shared, “From the beginning, it was clear that Miguel had both the compassion and the commitment needed to work with diverse learners. Connecting him with a school environment where he could grow was easy because his dedication to students and openness to learning made him an ideal candidate. Watching him discover his passion for Special Education has been incredibly rewarding.”
His experience at Farmingdale High School inspired Miguel to add dual certification in Students with Disabilities, expanding both his skill set and his future career options. While it will take him additional time to complete the program, Miguel sees that as a gift rather than a sacrifice. “I’m happy to stay at Molloy even longer,” he said.
Miguel Valencia’s journey is a testament to °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï’s commitment to the preparation of students to be career-ready—no matter where they begin.
