From Legacy to Leadership: Victoria Schepis ’20MST Transforms a Passion for Teaching into Career Impact
Iona University’s dual master's program equips Pelham native to find success in the classroom
For Victoria Schepis ’20MST, the path to the classroom was paved with inspiration from a young age. Growing up in Pelham, Schepis watched her father dedicate his career to special education, an experience that instilled within her an immense passion for the profession. Through his work, she learned that every student possesses the potential to learn and grow when provided with proper guidance and support. Today, Schepis is carrying that mission forward as a fourth-grade teacher at Hutchinson Elementary School.
Schepis graduated from Iona University after completing a dual Master’s program in 1-6 General Education and 1-6 Students with Disabilities. Reflecting on her time in the program, she credits much of her academic and professional growth to the University’s dedicated faculty.
"The Iona faculty supported my academic growth by providing me with support with the curriculum, as well as guidance on professionalism in the school setting," Schepis said.
Beyond the classroom theory, Schepis found that the most valuable part of her Iona experience was the sense of preparedness to enter the workforce upon her graduation. She didn’t just leave Iona with a degree; she left with hands-on professional experience giving her the tools necessary for success. By the time she began her job search, she was ready to approach a competitive hiring landscape not just as a candidate, but as an educator ready to make an impact.
A pivotal part of her preparation was her student teaching placement. Carefully selected and reviewed by Iona, this placement allowed her to gain comfort and practical experience before leading a classroom of her own. It was this very placement that led her back to her hometown of Pelham, where she currently teaches at Hutchinson Elementary School.
Reflecting on her time in New Rochelle, Schepis views her master's program as the cornerstone of her professional identity. Her journey from student to educator has come full circle as she now serves as a vocal advocate for the program. By sharing her story with those looking to enter the teaching field, she hopes to inspire future educators to seek out the same transformative experience she found at Iona.
"I never fail to share my experience with those looking to go into the teaching field, hoping they will attend Iona and have a similar experience," she shared.
Through her work in the classroom, Schepis remains a testament to the power of a supportive education and the lasting impact of the Iona 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.