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Anna Marie Finley
Program : Master of Science in Education
Hometown : Wallingford, PA
Undergraduate Degree : Bachelor of Science, Business Administration,
Lebanon Valley College
Graduate Degree : M.B.A., Temple University
Why would Anna Marie Finley, with an undergraduate degree in business
administration from Lebanon Valley College, an MBA in marketing
from Temple University, and years of experience in marketing and
product development with CIGNA, be seeking yet another degree in
elementary education? It's simple. Her desire to be a teacher, held
since her days in high school, was never really extinguished. "When
I was in high school," Finley recalls, "a guidance counselor
told me not to be a teacher. She said there were no good jobs in
teaching and she guided me into actuarial science, which was not
a good fit for me."
After she had her first child, Anna Marie stopped working. As is
sometimes the case, this time off and the addition of children to
her world led her to reevaluate her career prospects.
"I have always loved kids and learning. After I had kids,
I started working in school as a paraprofessional." Being in
the learning environment with children and teachers she felt her
desire to teach resurface. She enrolled in Neumann College's Master
of Science in Education: Instructional Leadership program and hasn't
looked back since.
Anna Marie chose Neumann not only because it was geographically
convenient, but because she "wouldn't have to start from scratch,
and I could earn my degree in a reasonable amount of time,"
she says. "I like the thinking that has gone into Neumann College's
Master's in Education curriculum. Clearly there has been great planning
behind the program design." She says what sets Neumann apart
from other programs is "its instructional belief in producing
well-rounded, quality teachers who eagerly contribute to the solid
education of the youth in our society. Neumann provides the guidance,
advice, and instruction to put a career plan into action,"
she explains. "The goal is to make you a valuable teacher."
This year, Anna Marie has enrolled full-time to finish up her degree
more quickly. "I really want to make my teaching career happen."
Her hope is to land a job in an elementary school, preferably in
grades 3 to 5. She also hopes to achieve dual certification in special
and elementary ed. "I would love to be in an inclusive classroom
where the classroom teacher brings an expertise in special ed to
the class to enrich the educational experience for all the children,"
she says.
Although balancing the demands of raising three children (a high
school student, a 7th grader, and a 3rd grader) has been challenging
for her, Anna Marie says it is very "doable" with a good
deal of preplanning and organization. She believes Neumann recognizes
the demands of returning adult students. "They know they have
lives, families, and multiple responsibilities, and they work with
you to make you a success."
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