Meghan Murphy

Meghan Murphy of Pompton Plains, N.J. is a graduate student enrolled in the M.A. in Special Education 4+1 program. 

She is a recent graduate of Ramapo College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education as well as additional certifications such as a CEAS for Middle School English Language Arts/Literacy. 

During her years as an undergraduate, Meghan was a member of the Future Teachers of America Club and the LEAD Club. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude and was a member of various honor societies including Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Tau Delta, and Alpha Lambda Delta. 

Off-campus, Meghan actively participates in community musical theater groups across northern N.J., and currently teaches first grade at Kiel Elementary School in Kinnelon, N.J.

Emily Dowiak

Emily Dowiak is a Junior Elementary Education major with a minor in Psychology in the 4+1 Master of Arts in Special Education Program. She has a 3.9 GPA. She has been a recipient of the Dean’s List since Fall 2021 and has also been inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society..

At Ramapo, Emily has been active in several organizations, currently serving as the Vice President of Future Teachers at Ramapo. Emily is also the treasurer of the Ramapo College Dance Company, as well as involved with the Yoga Club and the American Sign Language Club. Additionally, Emily was employed by the Office of Specialized Services as a notetaker for students in some of her classes. 

Off campus, Emily is a dance teacher at Center Stage Dance Studio in Paramus, N.J., and she is a substitute teacher in the Paramus Public School District. Emily also enjoys volunteering in community service activities with individuals with special needs.

Once attaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, Emily plans on seeking her master’s degree in Special Education through the 4+1 Program at Ramapo.

Taylor Quinn

Taylor Quinn of West Milford, N.J. is a senior Elementary Education major with an English and Literary Studies minor in the 4+1 Master of Arts in Special Education program. She has a 4.0 GPA. Taylor is also in the Ramapo College Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Taylor has been involved in various education-related organizations and initiatives, including Future Teachers at Ramapo, Literature Club, and Kappa Delta Pi, of which she is Ramapo’s chapter President. She has been instrumental in organizing FTAR’s staple Thank-a-Professor event. As Co-President of FTAR, she designed and created e-cards for the event, which she brought to the fall semester for the first time in 2022. Taylor will be presenting at the NJCEC conference in March 2023 as part of her Honors Senior Project, sponsored by Dr. Julie Norflus-Good.

Taylor has also been involved in various off-campus activities and organizations, including the Chuck Enering Soup Kitchen, at which she volunteers regularly. Taylor has also been a Substitute Teacher for almost a year and privately tutors elementary and middle school students in mathematics and English language arts. She is currently in her full-time Clinical Placement at her former elementary school and will graduate with her Bachelor’s degree in May 2023.

Taylor Hemmer

Taylor Hemmer of Wantage, N.J is an Elementary Education major who is enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Special Education 4+1 Program. She has a 3.7 GPA and has made the Dean’s list almost every semester. At Ramapo, Taylor has been active in several organizations and activities, including a member of Kappa Delta Pi, President of Future Teachers At Ramapo, and Kappa Delta Pi. Last year, Taylor created a new event for FTAR that works closely with a local school to design and construct academic posters and anchor charts for several classrooms, her proudest accomplishment yet!

Taylor has been involved off campus as she began volunteering with Peace by Piece N.J., a nonprofit organization assisting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Taylor also tutors a student with a reading disability and substitutes at her local elementary school. Her positive energy and kindhearted personality are a perfect fit for helping individuals feel loved and appreciated.

Currently, Taylor is taking on a 16-credit course load, working as a student teacher at her local elementary school two days a week, tutors a student weekly, volunteers with PBPNJ, and babysits as well. After Taylor graduates in May of 2023, she plans to become a second grade teacher. Taylor is interested in going back to school for another master’s degree in educational leadership. Her ultimate goal is to become an elementary school principal after spending several years in the classroom.

Renee Hales

Renee Hales of North Brunswick, N.J. is a senior in the Masters of Special Education program currently Student Teaching Second Grade in Riverdale. She has a 3.2 GPA and a 3.7 Graduate GPA.

At Ramapo, Renee has been active in several organizations and activities including the athletics department, garden club, and Young Life. Renee is an athletics department student aid and helps work the games, she is the treasurer and social media chair for garden club, and the president of Young Life for 3 years.

Renee has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations. She is a volleyball coach for TGA, a summer camp coordinator in her hometown, and a substitute teacher.

After graduation, Renee will continue the 4+1 MASE program and is looking forward to being an elementary school teacher. After experience of teaching, Renee would like to go back and earn her master’s degree in Education Administration. She is excited to be on this journey to become a teacher that she has wanted to do since she was in First Grade.

Lisa Petrigliano Montany

Lisa Petrigliano Montany raised her family of two girls, ages 17 and 22, in her Maywood, N.J. home. After a 30 year absence, Lisa returned to complete her degree in Elementary Education and proudly achieved a 4.0 GPA in her first semester back. 

She currently works with the Maywood Recreation Department to develop and implement programs for children, adults and senior citizens.

Juliana Venezio

Juliana Venezio of Clark, N.J. is an Elementary Education major with a minor in English and Literary Studies. She is on track to complete Ramapo’s Master of Arts in Special Education degree. She has a 3.7 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester.

At Ramapo, Juliana is an active member of Sigma Delta Tau, having served as their Alumnae Relations Chair, Vice President of Recruitment, and is currently the Chapter President.

Juliana has balanced working as a babysitter, tutor, teacher aide, and substitute teacher throughout her time at Ramapo as a full-time student.

Vincent Putignano

Vincent Putignano of Hackettstown, N.J. is in the Masters of Special Education program. He has a 4.0 GPA and is a Special Education Teacher in Florham Park, N.J.

During his time in undergrad, he was the first President of Tau Sigma National Honor Society for Transfer Students, and mentored a young adult with a traumatic brain injury. As Tau Sigma’s president, Vincent helped raise money for the Mahwah Center for Food Action. He is proud to have landed a teaching job immediately after graduating Ramapo.

Off campus, Vincent is a basketball coach in his town, the head basketball coach of the middle school he works at, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. “Post-graduation, my goal is to continue inspiring students to love learning and help shape the minds of all the students I connect with,” says Vincent.

Nicole Bevacqua

“It is so exciting to have the opportunity to teach the students who inspired me to pursue a career in the Special Education field. I learn from my students every day, and I look forward to seeking out new ways to assist them in unlocking their potential. I hope to impact the lives of students the way that they have impacted mine,” says Nicole Bevacqua of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. Nicole is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Special Education. She attended Ramapo College for her undergraduate studies and received her BA in Mathematics on the Education track with a 3.2 GPA.

At Ramapo, Nicole was a member of Sigma Delta Tau and Alpha Lambda Delta honor society. She coordinated events to raise money and awareness for Prevent Child Abuse America, Women for Women International, and Jewish Women International. Nicole also attended numerous walks with Sigma Delta Tau for causes such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and suicide.

During her undergraduate years, Nicole observed at the South Bergen Jointure Commission to gain exposure in special education. Through this experience, she realized her passion for working with students with special needs. This year, Nicole began her career with SBJC as the high school mathematics teacher. She has since been involved with the development and implementation of currency in the school store. Nicole also plans trips twice a week to support a Community Based Involvement curriculum. Additionally, she has been asked to assist in leading the Robotics Club for the middle and high school.

Lori Militello

Lori Militello is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Special Education, and currently has a GPA of 4.0.
“I was inspired to pursue a career in special education because of my son, Connor, who is on the autism spectrum.” She is a special education teacher at Eric S. Smith Middle School in Ramsey, N.J.
As a member of the Ramsey Stigma-free Committee, Lori has been active in planning events and educating the community on mental health issues. In addition, she volunteers with Autism Rides, an annual bike event in Paramus, N.J. that raises money and awareness for the autism community.
Lori holds teaching certifications in K-6, Middle School Math, Middle School English, and Students with Disabilities. She is a strong advocate for students with special needs.

Harrison Bieth

Harrison Bieth is currently working toward his Masters of Arts in Special Education. He has a 3.8 GPA.

He worked at Windsor Bergen Academy for the last year and is currently employed in the Ringwood School District. He also spent his summer working with children with special needs at the JCC in Tenafly, N.J.

“I hope to continue my quest for knowledge and become a behaviorist or job counselor.”

Nicole DeRisi

Nicole DeRisi of Montvale, N.J. is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Special Education under the leadership of Dr. Julie Norflus-Good. She has a 4.0 GPA.

Nicole has worked with the Forum School and the New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children. She also volunteers at her local parish and at animal rescue associations.

Currently, Nicole is a dual-certified Elementary Special Education teacher in Montvale, N.J. and is a trained Orton Gillingham teacher at the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education.

Nicole hopes to further her education by receiving a Learning Disabilities Teacher- Consultant certification after graduation.

Kaitlin Reilly

In high school, Kaitlin Reilly of Allendale, N.J. created a project called Every Piece Counts, raising over $6,000 for Autism Speaks.  She went on to attend Ramapo College, earning a degree in Biology (cum laude) in 2016.  Kaitlyn continued her education at Ramapo, completing a post- baccalaureate teacher certification in Biological Sciences, as well as a Grades 5- 8 Mathematics Content Specialization.

Currently Kaitlin is back at Ramapo, working towards a Master of Arts degree in Special Education.

“I was inspired to study Special Education even further since I have a cousin with autism,” Kaitlin explains.  “I have seen the social, emotional, and family aspects of raising a child on the spectrum.”

Kaitlin is currently a Middle School Teaching Assistant for Mathematics in the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School District.  “During my teacher education fieldwork, student teaching, and regular substitute teaching, I quickly realized how important it is to have an understanding of how to meet the needs of all my learners and truly help them achieve.”

Lori Militello

Lori Militello of Mahwah, N.J. is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Special Education.  She has a BS in Business Finance from Leigh University and graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.52.

Lori has been employed as a special education teacher at Eric S. Smith Middle School in Ramsey, N.J. since 2014. Previously, she taught at the middle school level at The Community School in Teaneck, N.J. Lori holds teaching certifications in K-6, Middle School Math, Middle School English, and Students with Disabilities.

As a member of the Ramsey Stigma-Free Committee, Lori has been active in planning events and educating the community on mental health issues. In addition, she volunteers with Autism Rides, an annual bike event in Paramus, N.J. that raises money and awareness for the autism community.

“I plan to continue making a difference in the lives of special needs students for many years to come,” says Lori.

Brenda Liz Hernandez

Brenda Liz Hernandez of Paterson, N.J. is working towards a Master of Arts in Special Education. She has a 4.0 GPA. Brenda was the first person in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree.  “It was always my dream to go back to school to earn a master’s degree.  After eighteen years I am now able to achieve that goal.”

Brenda has been employed by the Passaic School District for the past seventeen years. She has taught grades K-6 as a Special Education Teacher.  In the future, Brenda would like to become a specialist in Orton-Gillingham, a teaching approach designed to help struggling readers.

Rachel P. Streitman

Rachel P. Streitman of New City, N.Y. is a SUNY Oneonta alumna, who graduated in 2015 with a B.A. in Mathematics and Secondary Education Certification, as well as grades five-six Content Specialization. Rachel started her education at Ramapo College in the fall of 2016 to pursue her graduate studies as part of the Master of Arts in Special Education Program, under the leadership of Dr. Julie Norflus-Good. She currently has a 4.0 GPA.

Rachel is currently a high school Special Education Mathematics Teacher for the Ridgewood Public School District. Rachel started her teaching career as a general education teacher in Binghamton, N.Y.  “I quickly realized how important a master’s in special education would be to both my future and my future students, as a solid foundation and understanding of special education would allow me to truly connect to my students.” After one year as the general education teacher, Rachel made the switch to special education and has continued to impact the lives of her students both in and outside of the classroom.

Lisa M. Troncone

Lisa M. Troncone of Lyndhurst, NJ, is a Ramapo College alum, having graduated in 2009 cum laude with a BA in Psychology and K-5 Elementary Education Certification, as well as Grades 5-8 Language Arts Content Specialization. Lisa returned to Ramapo College in the Fall of 2015 to pursue her Graduate Studies as part of the Master of Arts in Special Education Program, under the leadership of Dr. Julie Norflus-Good. She currently has a 3.957 GPA.

An interest in Special Education developed at a very young age. Growing up with an older brother with Down Syndrome, Lisa realized that a very large part of her personal life would soon become a professional endeavor, as well. Lisa is currently a Special Education Teacher for the Lyndhurst Public School District. In addition to her accomplishments at Ramapo College, Lisa is proud to have taken on a new role in her profession. After five years of teaching in the general education classroom setting, Lisa made the switch to Special Education and has continued to impact her students’ lives in more ways than she thought possible. “It is with great honor and pride that I accept this award, as both Ramapo College and Special Education are near and dear to my heart,” said Lisa.