Heather M. Baumann

“Since my sophomore year in high school, I knew Ramapo College would be the school I would choose to help me reach my goals. Much like high school, my four years at Ramapo College flew by in a flash. Along the way, I had the privilege of meeting a variety of intellectually inspiring friends and faculty members. I was also able to participate in an amazing organization, the Student Government Association (SGA). SGA gave me the courage and respect I needed to continue my growth both personally and professionally. It was through SGA that I was able to meet people I now consider my best friends. I am fortunate to have had professors at Ramapo College who molded me and guided me through my studies in Psychology and Elementary Education.

It was because of the encouragement I received from my professors that I decided to pursue my Master’s Degree at Ramapo College in the first Master’s of Special Education cohort. Pursuing my Master’s degree was no easy task. It took many sleepless nights and a lot of coffee to be able to graduate with a 3.9 GPA. As students we were faced with the task of writing a Master’s thesis, doing extensive research and conducting a study in the field. This, plus working in a school full-time and being a high school soccer and softball coach, helped me realize that the impossible is possible and with a little bit of fortitude your dreams can come true.

I became the first person in my family to attend and graduate from a four-year college, and I am proud to say that I now also have a Master’s of Arts in Special Education. I am eager to pursue my goals in special education and also in educational administration.” – Heather M. Baumann ’14 ’16 is a 4^th grade teacher at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School in Union, New Jersey. Heather is also working at Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey, as a Junior Varsity soccer and softball coach.