Lucinda Marino: Outstanding Graduate Student in Special Education (Early Intervention)

Lucinda Marino of Dresden, Maine is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student in Special Education (Early Intervention) Award. Read a Q&A with Marino below.

What difference has UMaine made in your life and in helping you reach your goals?

My time at UMaine profoundly altered my perspective, particularly in how I view myself as a learner. Initially uncertain about my ability to handle graduate-level coursework, I found myself challenged by the rigorous academic demands while juggling a full-time job at Maine Child Development Services. Despite the initial doubts, I embraced the mantra I often preached to my students: that tackling complex tasks is achievable. I demonstrated that I could overcome obstacles through dedicated effort and time management. Prioritizing my studies meant communicating to my family that my academic pursuits took precedence. Witnessing my dedication and perseverance, especially in the face of challenges, served as a powerful example for my five young adult children as they navigate their academic journeys. UMaine helped me reach my lifelong goal of earning a master’s in special education with a concentration in early childhood.

Have you had an experience at UMaine that has changed or shaped the way you see the world? If so, tell us about it.

During my graduate studies at UMaine, I conducted comprehensive case studies on children with disabilities. One particularly impactful experience involved closely accompanying a child through the special education eligibility process in compliance with parental consent. This exposure familiarized me with the assessments mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for determining eligibility and honed my skills in interpreting assessment outcomes. Subsequently, I assumed an integral role within the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, making substantial contributions during the IEP meeting. Post-meeting, parents sought my guidance on numerous occasions, underscoring the confidence and competence I acquired through my UMaine education.

This experience has profoundly shaped my professional identity as an advocate for inclusive early childhood education, in accordance with the principles outlined in IDEA. It has intensified my dedication to championing the rights and needs of children with disabilities. Moreover, it has cultivated a continually evolving sense of duty, perseverance, and commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable early childhood education landscape in Maine.

In summary, my tenure at UMaine has not only equipped me with the expertise and abilities to excel as an early childhood special educator but has also ignited within me a fervent passion for effecting positive change and advocating for social justice within the domain of early childhood education, guided by the provisions of IDEA.

Have you worked closely with a professor or mentor who made your UMaine experience better? If so, tell us about them.

I could not have completed the program without the guidance and patience of the following professors and instructors: Martha Gladstone, Sara Flanagan, Debrajean Scheibel and Jamie Treworgy.

What advice do you have for incoming graduate students to help them get off to the best start academically? 

My advice would be to find another student in the program to be a study partner and to always communicate with the professors when overwhelmed or even for simple clarifications of assignments.

Why UMaine?

I chose UMaine because of the CDS Pathways Program so that I could receive a teaching certificate while earning a master’s degree.

Favorite UMaine memory:

Receiving my first A in a graduate level course.

Special Thank You message:

Thanks to our advisors for making sure we were meeting timelines and encouraging us along the way.