Editor’s Note: As Commencement approaches, we are featuring some of our Neag School Class of 2020 graduating seniors over the coming days. Coyne also appeared in UConn Today’s feature about graduating seniors.

Major: Special Education
Minor: English

Extracurriculars: UConn Future Educators; Windham Heights Tutoring; Teacher Education Student Association (TESA)

Hometown: Marshfield, Mass.

What do you aspire to be? I aspire to be a teacher that leaves a positive impact on my students. During my schooling career, I had two teachers that went above and beyond to get to know me and build a relationship with me beyond the classroom. My experiences with these teachers will stick with me forever, and I hope to have that same impact on my students in the future.

Who is your favorite professor? My favorite professor is Melodee Walker. I have been fortunate enough to have Melodee for two different courses. She has taken the time to build a relationship with our entire cohort and you can tell that she genuinely cares about each of her students. During the time I have had Melodee, she has advocated for our cohort and has encouraged us to advocate for ourselves as well. Melodee has also been very supportive, especially through the edTPA process.

What did you accomplish that you’re most proud of? The accomplishment that I am most proud of is being accepted into the Neag School of Education IB/M program. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was little, and being accepted into the program meant that my dream was finally going to become a reality.

“I have wanted to be a teacher since I was little, and being accepted into the program meant that my dream was finally going to become a reality.”

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I will be returning to UConn in the fall to get my master’s. After that, I plan to become a special education teacher.

How has UConn prepared you for your future career? UConn has prepared me for my future career by giving me an opportunity to get hands-on experience in several different school districts in the state. During my time in each placement, I have built confidence in my abilities to be an educator and have learned valuable information from the experiences I have had that I will take with me in my career in the future.

What advice would you give to a student who is just starting out? Get involved and don’t be afraid to try new things! There are so many great clubs and organizations on campus to get involved with, and you may never know what you’re truly passionate about unless you try something new.