A Commitment to Service Through Special Education
Gabriella Kann ’24, ’25MSEd embodies Iona values in career rooted in service
For Gabriella Kann, teaching is more than a career; it is a calling rooted in service, community and purpose. As a New Rochelle native, she was drawn to Iona University not only for its academic strengths but for its mission and values.
“I chose Iona University because its mission and values closely reflect my commitment to community engagement, spiritual grounding and service to others,” Kann said.
Inspired by the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, Kann found a natural alignment between her personal values and Iona’s emphasis on educating the whole person. For her, teaching represents an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way.
“I see teaching as a meaningful way to live a life dedicated to helping others and contributing to the public good,” Kann said.
As a student in the MSEd program in Special Education and Literacy, Kann has experienced firsthand the benefits of Iona’s hands-on approach to teacher preparation. Professors play an active role in student development, extending learning beyond traditional lectures.
“Professors have been deeply engaged in my educational growth, going beyond the classroom to help me explore different teaching practices through firsthand experiences,” Kann said.
One of the most memorable aspects of her education has been the opportunity to learn in real-world settings. Whether through fieldwork, classroom modeling, or immersive experiences like a class trip to New York City, Kann has developed practical skills that prepare her for the realities of teaching. These experiences have helped her understand not just how to teach, but how to create meaningful learning opportunities for her future students.
Her student teaching placement at Salesian High School further strengthened her confidence and abilities. With continued support from faculty, she was able to apply strategies in real time, refining her skills in a supportive environment. At the same time, Iona’s strong connections to local schools provided valuable insight into the professional landscape.
Kann credits Iona with preparing her not only academically but also professionally.
“The program goes beyond classroom theory by preparing students for real-life scenarios and challenges that teachers face,” Kann said.
Through hands-on learning and community engagement, she has developed both the competence and confidence needed to succeed.
For Kann, the future of education is deeply tied to service. With her strong foundation from Iona, she is ready to enter the field with a clear sense of purpose—dedicated to supporting students and making a lasting impact in her community.
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.