Inspired to Make a Difference
Emily Tuchman ’24MST builds meaningful connections through childhood and special education
Rooted in both inspiration and intention, Emily Tuchman ’24MST always knew she wanted her work to make a difference. Driven by the deep-seated belief that a single educator can change the course of a student's life, Tuch approached her studies with a clear sense of purpose; to become the kind of mentor who inspires growth, curiosity and confidence every single day. Today, she is living out that mission, dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of her students.
“I chose to study education at Iona due to the strong relationships the professors seek to make with their students,” Tuchman said. “Having smaller teacher to student ratios was important to me in my master’s program. The students continue to inspire me each day. Having the chance to make a true difference in each student’s life is what continues to inspire me and is my ‘why’ about teaching.”
When Tuchman joined Iona University’s Childhood and Special Education MST program, she found more than just a degree path; she found a community rooted in connection. By working side-by-side with dedicated faculty, she bridged the gap between theory and practice, giving her the confidence to meet the unique needs of a diverse generation of learners.
“The professors at Iona have helped me grow into the teacher that I am through continued study and dedication to the practice,” Tuchman said. “They taught me how to better reflect and adjust based off of my students’ needs at any time.”
By making reflection a cornerstone of her teachings, Tuchman turned every lesson into a learning moment, staying attuned to the needs of her classroom. Pairing this approach with Iona’s hands-on learning environment, she gained the skills and confidence necessary to step seamlessly into her professional career.
“Iona helped me through getting hands-on experience and a data driven education that helped me both learn in the classroom at Iona and in my field placement,” Tuchman said.
Tuchman’s journey into the classroom was shaped by her hands-on experience at Hutchinson Elementary School. In Pelham, she was able to apply her training in a real classroom setting and further refine her approach to instruction.
Today, she brings that preparation to life to the classroom each day by fostering deep, supportive relationships that go beyond the textbook. Grounded in reflection and inspired by her students, Tuchman continues to shape a classroom environment where every learner has the opportunity and feels empowered to succeed.
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.