Student Profile
Vitals:
Name: Janice Lancia
Graduation Year: 2008
Hometown: Mamaroneck, New York
Major: Elementary and Special Education
Weekend Activity: Spending time in NYC with friends
Janice Lancia is a full time graduate student and teacher’s assistant in Manhattanville’s School of Education. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture with a minor in Education Studies from Syracuse University, she started Manhattanville’s graduate program in August ’06. “Manhattanville has a reputation for producing great teachers,” Janice said. “However, what really influenced my decision to apply to this program were the wonderful student teachers I remember having from Manhattanville when I was in elementary school.”
Janice is pursuing her Masters degree in Elementary and Special Education, and will also become certified in Early Childhood Education. She is looking forward to working as a Special Education teacher after graduation in August ‘08. Her experience of having a family member with disabilities inspires her to work toward improving the lives of other students in Special Education.
“My twelve year old cousin, Cody, was born with Spina Bifida and also has learning disabilities,” she said. “I have learned firsthand about the challenges that come with educating a child with a disability. It was through this experience that I began to realize that I wanted to be a Special Education teacher. They present a world full of opportunity to each student in their class, a world of knowledge, support, and self-sufficiency. Special Ed teachers are also important to schools in that they foster diversity in mainstream classrooms and encourage acceptance of students with varying abilities. I look forward to working in this field after graduation.”