February 27, 2017
The Maureen A. Hartigan Forum is an annual event for student teachers which provides them with an opportunity to network with alumni and prepare for future job interviews. The Hartigan Forum was created as a result of a scholarship dedicated to the memory of Maureen A. Hartigan ’55Ed, who was the former president of The School of Education Alumni Association and an alumna committed to her alma mater. The 2017 Maureen A. Hartigan Scholarship recipient are Amanda Leigh Cohen ’19Ed and Kecia Robinson ‘18Ed.
The forum started with a keynote address by Tamra Haigler, Assistant Principal at P.S. 036 Saint Albans School located in Queens, NY 11412. She imparted advice on how to stand out in the current New York City job market. Haigler reminded students the importance of flexibility saying, "Being flexible is vital in the world of education." She also shared a very important piece of advice with the pre-service teachers in attendance, "Build close ties with families and their children."
"The Hartigan Forum gives St. John's University School of Education students an authentic experience of the interview process. It allows them to network with current educators in the field as they learn about themselves and their future, while building bridges between alumni and current students about to graduate," said Margaret McGlynn 03'Ed.D.
McGlynn also shared that she has since maintained a connection with one of the students whose mock interview she conducted, assisting the student with resume revisions and encouragement.
After, student teachers participated in mock interviews and were mentored by alumni currently in the field of education, partner school administrators, and university faculty. The forum was immediately followed by a networking reception sponsored by the Kappa Eta chapter of the international honor society Kappa Delta Pi.
The event was cosponsored by The School of Education, University Career Services, and the Office of Alumni Relations.