Hi! My name is Maya Monteiro, and I’m an Elementary/Middle Education major at the University of New England. I grew up in Belchertown, Massachusetts, and now live in South Dennis, MA. When I’m not at school, you can usually find me reading, enjoying the beach, traveling, or spending time with my family, friends and dogs. 

Currently, I’m student teaching in a first grade classroom at Eight Corners Primary School. I’m grateful for this amazing opportunity and learning experience. Throughout this experience, I have continued to instill my love for learning and becoming an educator. My cooperating teacher and the other staff members I have had the opportunity to work with taught me so much, and I’m excited to keep learning and growing as an educator. 

When I first started college as a freshman, I was a Medical Biology major on the Pre-Dental track. After some reflection on my previous experiences of nannying and volunteering with children through sports and youth groups, I realized that my true passion lies in working with children. During the spring semester of my sophomore year of college, I got the opportunity to study abroad in Morocco where I volunteered at an orphanage. This experience and volunteer work gave me more clarity and inspired me to change my major to Elementary Education. I really aspire to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment for students. 

Since making the switch, I’ve loved every second of my journey. From forming meaningful connections with professors and mentors to gaining hands-on experiences through field work, it’s been incredibly rewarding and insightful. I’m excited to see the many opportunities I have in the educational field. I am excited to be a classroom teacher and have a long term goal of becoming a guidance counselor in a school setting one day in order to keep supporting students!