Category: Alumni


Read stories about Neag School of Education alumni.

Smiling female holds book "Safe Spot"

Neag School Alumna Liz DeVitto Self-Publishes Children’s Book, Shares Insights on Being a Special Education Teacher

September 26, 2022

Elizabeth “Liz” DeVitto ’14 (ED), ’15 MA, a special education teacher for the past eight years at Roaring Brook Elementary School in Avon, Connecticut, had a goal to write a children’s book before she turned 30. When she looked for a book to help her students deal with emotions, she couldn’t find anything appropriate. Since she couldn’t find the right book, she decided this was her chance to fulfill her goal by publishing a book, Finding a Safe Spot, to help her students when they become overwhelmed with emotion.


Gentry Building.

Neag School Accolades: Summer 2022

September 26, 2022

Throughout the academic year, the Neag School is proud to share the latest achievements of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Explore their most recent promotions, awards, retirements, publications, and more: Dean’s Office Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Teacher Education Department of Educational Leadership Department of Educational Psychology Faculty/Staff Students Alumni In Memoriam Dean’s […]


More Kids Are Repeating a Grade. Is it Good for Them?

September 1, 2022

Ultimately, there shouldn’t be just two options of repeating a grade or going on to the next, said Alex Lamb, who has been looking at research on grade retention as part of her work with the Center for Education, Policy Analysis, Research and Evaluation at the University of Connecticut to help advise school districts.

“Neither of those options are good,” she said. “A great option is letting students move on, and then introducing some of these supports that are research-backed, that are effective and that allow for academic and social-emotional growth of students and then communities.”


New Faces Highlight the New School Year in Waterford

August 31, 2022

Last week, the district announced Amanda Batty would fill the assistant principal vacancy at the high school, which opened after Alison Mullane resigned. Batty has spent her entire 22-year career in education as a science teacher at the high school and has served as the chair of the school system’s science board since 2007. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biological science and master’s in education from the University of Connecticut before receiving her sixth year administration certificate from Sacred Heart University.


Patricia Jepson

Alum Patricia Jepson Prioritizes Human Connection, Achieving Excellence and Impact Through 40-Year Career

August 31, 2022

Patricia “Pat” Jepson’s history with UConn spans several decades – from her time as a high school student to her retirement in 2017. Throughout her career, Jepson worked to promote excellence and diversity in Connecticut’s agricultural education programs – a commitment she maintains even now. As a student at Wilson High School (now Middletown High School), Jepson was involved in her school’s agriculture program and took UConn co-op credits. Jepson, a first-generation college student, went on to study animal science at UConn.




New Teacher Profile: Derek Flynn Returns Home to Teach at Masuk

August 23, 2022

Name: Derek Flynn Position: Science teacher (chemistry and physics) at Masuk High School Coming from: Naugatuck High School, where he taught for three years. Grew up in: Monroe, graduated in Masuk’s Class of 2008 Education: Earned a Bachelor’s degree in pre-vet animal science and a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Connecticut


U.S. Ed Secretary to Visit S.C. State

August 12, 2022

Cardona has two decades of experience. He began his career as an elementary teacher and then served as a school principal. In 2012, (Miguel Cardona) won the 2012 National Distinguished Principal Award for the State of Connecticut and the Outstanding Administrator Award from UConn’s Neag School of Education.