When Margaret and Helena Valdez log in to their UMass Global classes, they do it side by side — as mother and daughter, colleagues in the same school district, and future elementary teachers working toward the same Master of Arts in Teaching, Multiple Subject (Elementary Education) degree. What began as two individual career paths has become a shared journey that is reshaping their family dynamic, the classrooms they support, and the communities they serve.
For Helena, the daughter, the path to the classroom started with one unforgettable elementary teacher who changed how she saw learning. “It made me have a wonderful outlook on learning and teaching,” she reflects, and that experience stayed with her through her bachelor’s in early childhood development. When it came time to choose a graduate program, she followed a trusted example close to home: “I chose the MAT program [at UMass Global] because of the great experience my mom had through her bachelor’s program.”
For her mother Margaret, the route to teaching unfolded more gradually. While working as a school librarian, she realized she wanted to deepen her connection with students and make a bigger impact. “I want to connect with students and make a real difference in their lives,” she explains. “I want them to see more diversity in their teachers.” After completing her bachelor’s in liberal studies at UMass Global, the MAT program felt like the natural next step. “It was the easiest path for me, since I had just received my bachelor’s [there],” she says.
Today, both Margaret and Helena work for Riverside Unified School District while progressing together through the MAT program. Studying at the same time has turned graduate school into a shared project that touches every part of their daily lives.
“Studying together in the online MAT program has brought us closer as family and grad students,” they share. Even though they are at different stages in their careers, they compare notes on assignments, quiz each other for exams, and juggle household responsibilities so each can focus when it matters most. “Because we understand the stress of graduate school, we are more patient and supportive with each other. It has made our relationship stronger since we are working toward the same goal.”
Their support shows up in small but powerful moments. On tough days, they remind each other, “We can do hard things,” or gently suggest stepping away from the computer for a short break. They check in to ask, “Is there anything we can do to help lighten the load?” and those simple questions reinforce their confidence as future educators. “If we can work and attend school full-time, we will be able to handle the challenges that come our way.”
Like many UMass Global students, Margaret and Helena are balancing full-time work, family commitments, and graduate-level coursework. The online format has been key to keeping their momentum.
“The online program at UMass Global has allowed me to keep doing my studies while I also work full-time,” Margaret explains. She recalls a family trip to Oregon where the modality of the program made it possible to keep up with assignments from the road. “The flexibility of this program has allowed me to continue working while managing family responsibilities.”
That same adaptability extends beyond the classroom. The two are also training for their first marathon together — another shared challenge that mirrors their academic journey. “Adding marathon training into the mix is definitely intense! It takes perseverance, sweat, and tears, just like the MAT program. It’s rigorous, but with planning and support, we are able to get through it all.”
ForDr. Lori Piowlski, Dean of the School of Education, Margaret and Helena’s story captures what makes the UMass Global community unique. “Stories like theirs show that education here isn’t confined to a single moment in time — it’s something students can weave into their careers, their parenting, and their personal growth,” she says. “When students feel supported and connected in that way, they don’t just persist, they thrive.”
If a prospective student, especially a working parent or first-generation graduate student, were to read their story, Margaret and Helena would want them to know that the programs at UMass Global are doable at any stage of life: “Whether you’re older and feel like school might be out of reach, or a younger student who wants to keep working while studying — take that step. It will be incredibly rewarding.
Visit our MA in Teaching (Elementary Education With 2042 Multiple Subject Credential) page for more information.
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