Building a Classroom That Feels Like Home
Emily DiLillo ’22, ’24MST applies lessons learned at Iona to build community in her classroom
For Emily DiLillo ’22, ’24MST, teaching is a natural extension of who she is. Growing up in Mamaroneck, N.Y., she was surrounded by a family of educators, often stepping into the role herself by helping her younger brother with schoolwork and teaching younger children during Sunday School at her church.
“I was always quick to help him with homework and enjoyed taking on that ‘teacher’ role from an early age,” DiLillo said.
That early experience sparked a passion that would guide her future.
DiLillo began her journey at Iona as an undergraduate psychology student, where she quickly fell in love with the campus community. From supportive professors to the welcoming environment, her experience left a lasting impression. So, when it came time to pursue her master’s degree in teaching, the decision was easy.
“When it came time to decide where to study teaching for my master’s degree, I never considered anywhere else,” DiLillo said.
Through Iona’s MST program in Early Childhood and Childhood Education, DiLillo developed the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the classroom. She credits her professors with playing a key role in her growth, particularly through their emphasis on real-world application. Many faculty members brought firsthand teaching experience into the classroom, sharing practical strategies and insights that she still uses today.
One of the most impactful lessons she learned was the importance of reflection. Guided by her student teaching coordinator, Professor Susana Plass, DiLillo developed a habit that continues to shape her teaching practice.
“Professor Plass taught us to be reflective — this is probably the skill I use most often in my classroom today,” DiLillo said.
By consistently evaluating her lessons, she is able to adapt and improve, ensuring her students receive the best possible learning experience.
DiLillo completed her student teaching at Hutchinson School in Pelham, N.Y. — a placement that led directly to her current teaching position in the same district. This seamless transition from student to professional speaks to both her dedication and the strength of Iona’s program.
Today, DiLillo finds joy in the everyday moments of teaching. She values the constant learning that comes with the profession and the relationships she builds with her students.
“The children teach me so much,” DiLillo said. “I am so lucky to be able to teach them every day,”
Her classroom has become more than just a place of instruction—it’s a community.
“My class is like my second family,” DiLillo said. “They bring me so much joy.”
Through her journey at Iona and beyond, DiLillo has built a career centered on connection, growth and passion—creating a classroom where every student feels at home.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.