Our teacher education students have first hand knowledge of the ways that our programs, people, opportunities, and experiences shape lives. Many of our graduates stay in touch with their Buffalo State instructors, advisors, and mentors long after they have moved from teacher candidate to teacher. These graduates frequently write to former faculty and staff, sharing their experiences and reflections from the field of education.
Click on the names below to learn about the varied places our graduates are working (in the field of education, and beyond!), the happenings of our student teacher candidates, the ways in which these amazing individuals are contributing to their communities, and how Buffalo State helped them achieve their goals and dreams.
M.S.Ed., Literacy Specialist
Current Position: College Coordinator and Program Administrator
"What I love most about what I do, is that I am in the position to be a perpetual learner. As much as I am in the classroom to teach students, they continue to teach me in so many unimaginable ways.”
B.S. Exceptional Education
Current Position: Principal
“My many and varied experiences at Buffalo State prepared me not only for my time as a Special Education teacher, but also as a leader."
B.S., Early Childhood and Childhood Education
Current Position: Campus Education Coordinator
"I think that at Buffalo State I was able to truly experience and explore so much of myself as a person.”
B.A., Education with Sociology and Deviance minor
Current Position: Superintendent of Schools
"Education has allowed me to positively impact the future opportunities available to numerous students and colleagues."
M.S. Ed., Curriculum and Instruction
B.S., Childhood Education and Social Studies
"I think high quality education is life changing and so if I can be a part of making someone's education all that it can be, that motivates me."
B.S., Education with English Extension
Current Position: Full-time Author and Professional Development Consultant
“Making a difference in the lives of children provides no greater sense of satisfaction and purpose.”
M.S. Ed, Special Education | B.A., Elementary Ed. and Special Education
Current Position: Administrator for Students with Special Needs
"I was looking for a distinguished education program and Buffalo State clearly met that criteria. I knew I needed to attend a college that wasn’t too large in size, yet also offered an urban environment.”
M.S., Educational Leadership
M.S., Curriculum and Instruction
B.S., Childhood Education
Current Position: Assistant Principal
“I am committed to giving back to my community, through teaching and leading.”
2017, B.S. Exceptional Education and Childhood Education
Current Position: Resource Teacher, Houston, TX
"It was not an easy choice to move over 1,000 miles away from home, but I am happy with my decision. I believe I have become a stronger person."
B.S., Childhood Education
Current Position: Teacher
“I love that every day is something new with different and exciting challenges.”
M.S., Education (MIITC Program)
Current Position: Teacher
"I love that every day is different, every school year brings its own unique issues.”
B.S.Ed., Exceptional Ed. | M.S.Ed., Bilingual Special Ed. | Ph.D., Special Ed., University at Buffalo
Current Position: Assistant Professor
"Because of Buffalo State, I can now contribute to my community and to the field of bilingual special education."
Art Education Certificate Program
Current Position: Teacher
“Once you find confidence in what you’re doing you will feel invincible.”
M.S.Ed., Literacy Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education and Reading
Current Position: Program Coordinator
"Buffalo State was integral in igniting my passion for literacy."
M.S.Ed., Literacy Specialist
B.S., Early Childhood and Childhood Education
Current Position: Teacher
"My entire experience at Buffalo State prepared me for the real world, I understood the purpose of what I was doing."
M.S.Ed., Special Education
B.S., Elementary and Special Education
Current Position: Superintendent of Schools
“A strong work ethic has always been my driving force”
M.S.Ed., Early Childhood and Childhood Education
Current Position: Teacher
“I want students to receive the best education - no matter socioeconomic background or race - while instilling a sense of community and purpose that can only be achieved through that student.”
B.S., Exceptional Education
Current Position: Teacher
“I wanted to help children take the set of cards they were dealt and use them to succeed in life.”
2014, B.S., Childhood Education with Math Concentration
Current position: Employment Counselor and Account Clerk, Erie County Department of Social Services
“Because of Buffalo State, I am prepared, motivated, successful, and my story is just beginning.”
B.S., Childhood Education & Exceptional Education
Current Position: Teacher
“No day is the same and every single day you will learn something new.”
M.S. Ed., Literacy Specialist | B.S., Childhood Ed., with S.S. Extension
Current Position: Teacher
"Because of Buffalo State, I am going to be the best person I can be and, in turn, have a great impact on others."
B.M.E., Music Education
Current Position: Teacher
"All of my faculty were at the top of their field. The sense of community I felt in the music department was awesome and inspiring."
Graduate Certificate, Educational Leadership | M.S.Ed. Childhood Ed. | B.A. Applied Linguistics & English
Current Position: Teacher
"Buffalo State allowed me to become a creative teacher and go beyond basic textbook work with kids"
2012, M.S. Ed., Exceptional Education and Childhood Education
Special Education Teacher, Auburn, Washington
“I love kids, making people happy and helping others. I love that everyday I might be making a difference in someone’s life which could benefit our world in the long run.”
Jeannine King, M.S.Ed., Literacy
Lisa Miskell, M.S.Ed., Literacy
Current Position: Literacy Center Co-Directors
“Having the experience at the literacy center [through Buffalo State] propelled us to open our own literacy center.”
M.S., Educational Technology
B.S., Mathematics Education (7-12)
Current Position: Public Affairs Specialist
“Always say yes to an opportunity to get outside of your comfort zone. Those are going to be the most rewarding opportunities to develop.”
M.S Adult Education
Current Position: Environmental Justice Outreach Coordinator
"[I am] committed to community empowerment, community action and social justice through equitable community education.”
B.S., Elementary Education & Reading (Grades 1-6)
Current Position: Teacher
"Because of Buffalo State...I am a teacher."
B.S., Exceptional Education
Current Position: Elementary Skills for Learning & Living Special Ed. Teacher
"Already I’m amazed by the progress of my students. They surprise me every day and there is never a dull moment in our classroom."
M.S.Ed., Special Education
B.S., Exceptional Education
Current Position: Associate Superintendent of Schools
“What drives me to continue in the field and continue in the city district is the notion that you can actually impact the trajectory of a student.”
B.S., Early Childhood Education
Current Position: Teacher Assistant
"Whether it is teaching, learning, tutoring or volunteering, Buffalo State can help to shape your teaching philosophies and provide you with the necessary tools to aid in your success as an educator, just as they did mine.”
Adult Education
Current Position: Assistant Professor
“I really did not look forward to distant education courses, but I was pleasantly surprised by the degree of interaction, the variety, and I found through the facilitated online discussions it was very similar. To some degree it was better…”
B.A., Elementary Education
Current Position: Writer, Presenter Educational Consultant for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
"I had come from a quite regimented elementary and high school background, so it was great to find out at Buffalo State that classrooms could be fun, interactive, and meaningful."
M.A., Early Childhood Education
B.A., Elementary Education
Current Position: Unit Manager of Teen Center
“I believe in our youth. In a significant way, this belief is what our community is missing.”
B.S., English Education
M.S.Ed., English Education
Current Position: Teacher
“Teaching is the most hopeful profession you can have.”
M.S., Student Personnel/Administration
B.S., Exceptional Education
Current Position: Professor
“Buffalo State helped lay the foundation for what has been an opportunity for me to work with and help thousands of young people throughout my career.”
M.S.Ed., Educational Technology | B.S., Applied Mathematics
Current Position: Contract Worker
"Because of Buffalo State I gained many practical skills to integrate into the projects I have worked on, and I was inspired to think outside the box in everything I do.”
M.S.Ed., Career and Technical Education
Current Position: College Instructor
“There have been many pieces of the puzzle I have put together to form who I am. Some of these pieces are bigger than the other, not more important or better, just different shapes and sizes.”
B.S., Early Childhood/Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 6)
Current Position: Teacher
"Ever since I was young, I wanted to help people in some way."
M.S. Ed Exceptional Education
B.S. Exceptional Education
Current Position: Assistant Professor
"I love helping people that have additional challenges in successfully navigating traditional life experiences!"
M.S.Ed., Literacy Specialist | B.S., Elementary Education
Current Position: Teacher
“I walked into Buffalo State College as someone who just wanted a degree, yet left with so much more. I was transformed by the community in my department and by my mentors.”
M.S.Ed., Educational Technology
B.S., Elementary Education and Reading
Current Position: Assistant Professor
M.S.Ed., Literacy Specialist
Current Position: Doctoral Student
“The end goal is to help make the world a better place, and I still believe that education can do that - but change, both on a large and small scale, needs to happen.”
M.S.Ed., Childhood Education
Current Position: Music Teacher & Doctoral Student
"Every opportunity you take brings you closer to your goal of becoming a master teacher."
B.S., Spanish
Current Position: Principal
“The best way to learn is to teach, and the best way to teach is to allow your students to own their learning. Let them experience the learning and you be a facilitator, not a bestower of information."
B.S., Childhood Education
Current Position: Teacher
“To me, teaching is an art. Everyone can get to a final masterpiece; however, the process for getting there can be done in many fun and different ways.”
M.S.Ed. Literacy Specialist
Current Position: Reading Teacher
“Every day is an opportunity to empower, uplift, love and support your students. On your toughest days, remember this - to be a teacher is a gift.”
2016, B.S. Early Childhood and Childhood Education
Current Position: First Grade Teacher, Houston, TX
"I absolutely adore Houston! This city is simply wonderful! I would definitely recommend Houston to a prospective teacher."
M.S. Ed., English Education (7-12)
B.S., English Education (7-12)
Current Position: Teacher (abroad)
"Because of Buffalo State...I am a global educator!"
M.S., Elementary Education
Current Position: Professor
“A teacher brings students along, helps them grow, and then watches them fly. Each new school year is filled with promises and challenges that are enriching.”
B.S., Exceptional Education
Current Position: Associate Professor and M.A. Program Director
“I love watching my students learn and grow. And I enjoy the creativity and challenge of always trying to improve my practice so students learn even more!”
B.A., Exceptional Education | M.A., Exceptional Education
Current Position: Teacher & Lecturer
“Because of Buffalo State I have the tools to succeed. If I succeed, my students succeed and that is all an educator can ever ask for.”
