Samaria teaches seventh-grade English in Prince William County, Virginia. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University. Samaria began her career as a high school English teacher, where she taught for five years across a variety of courses, including English 9, creative writing, journalism, photojournalism, and African American history. Her experiences in the classroom have shaped her passion for understanding how students learn and how educators can create meaningful, engaging learning experiences. As an educator, Samaria is particularly interested in learning theories, educational neuroscience, and teacher preparation programs. She is fascinated by the ways technology has influenced the learning processes, engagement, and behaviors of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, especially in a post-COVID educational landscape. Additionally, she wants to study how teacher preparation programs prepare future educators for the classroom. During the fall, she serves as an assistant marching band director at her high school alma mater and stays involved in her community as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
A degree in educational psychology has been on my radar for several years, but I’m fortunate to have found the MS in Education: Instructional Coaching program. I wanted to pursue a program that felt valuable, would elevate my knowledge, and was from a reputable institution. With an emphasis in supporting research interests, as well as the added instructional coaching certificate, UW-Madison fit the bill! I’m confident that the MSEd: Instructional Coaching program will provide me with the confidence, expertise, and connections to continue my exploration into the intersections of education and science – and what steps educators can take to ensure all students succeed.