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Ariel Adrian, BA, MS, EdD
What made you decide to become a teacher?
I always dreamed of being a teacher! From the time I was a little girl, I would pretend to be a teacher – first in front of my dolls and then later in front of my grandma and other family members. I would teach them everything I knew – from spelling words to math problems. That passion for teaching only grew stronger over the years. I loved working with children and found joy and fulfillment in any opportunity to help them learn and grow.
Why did you decide to pursue your studies at Hofstra (and multiple degrees at that!)?
I initially chose Hofstra University because I wanted to stay close to home. After earning a BA in Elementary Education and English in 2013 and an MS in Literacy Studies in 2015, I can’t imagine having been a student anywhere else.
As the first in my family to graduate from college, I am deeply inspired by the pursuit of higher education. My parents encouraged me to take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. I stayed on at Hofstra after the master’s program to complete the Middle Childhood Extension Advanced Certificate in 2016 to broaden my expertise and marketability as an educator.
After a few years working in the classroom, I applied to Hofstra’s Doctor of Education program in literacy. That decision resulted in the most meaningful journey of my academic and professional life, and in 2023 I graduated with an EdD.
Did you have any faculty mentors while you were here? If so, how did they inspire you or what kind of guidance did they provide?
My time at Hofstra would not have been the same without the mentorship and guidance of Dr. Alan Flurkey. I first met Dr. Flurkey in an Introduction to Miscue Analysis course during my master’s program in 2014, and I continued to take his courses throughout my doctoral studies. When it came time to choose a dissertation mentor for my research on the effects of miscue analysis on middle school students, there was no question that he was the perfect fit for me.
I truly could not have asked for a better mentor. His invaluable advice, steady encouragement, and endless patience made me feel confident and capable. He opened my eyes to a way of thinking about literacy that transformed my teaching and research, welcoming me into what we fondly call the “Miscueteers.” Over countless Zooms, texts, and calls, we dove deep into reading research and instructional theory. Those conversations became some of the most intellectually fulfilling moments of my academic experience.
Beyond Dr. Flurkey, I was fortunate to learn from an extraordinary group of faculty members. Dr. Jeanne Henry, Dr. Theresa McGinnis, Dr. Debra Goodman, and the Goodman family have left a lasting imprint on my academic and professional life. Their scholarship, passion for literacy, and commitment to the field have profoundly shaped my philosophy and practice. I carry their influence with me every time I step into a classroom.
How would you describe your experience student teaching?
For my bachelor’s degree, I completed my student teaching in a school district in Nassau County, which was a valuable experience and helped pave the way for my decision to pursue a master’s in literacy. The School of Education helped me prepare for placements and offered constant feedback and guidance. This support made the experience very manageable and certainly meaningful.
When I entered the master’s program at Hofstra, my practicum experience was housed right on campus at the Reading/Writing Learning Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center, in partnership with local school districts. What I loved most about teaching reading in the master’s program was the creative freedom we had as educators. We were encouraged to think outside the box, tailor instruction to students’ individual needs, and bring our own strengths into our instruction to teach. It was in that space that I began to see the magic of literacy instruction come together, and it solidified my passion for the field.
How do you think Hofstra made you the teacher you are today?
Hofstra shaped me into the educator I am today by providing both a strong foundation and the freedom to develop my own voice. From the moment I arrived as a 17-year-old freshman in 2009 to the day I was honored with the H. Alan Robinson Dissertation of the Year Award in 2023, I was surrounded by faculty who challenged my thinking, nurtured my passion, and inspired me to see teaching as a calling.
What sets Hofstra apart is the School of Education’s unwavering emphasis on student-centered learning. I came to understand literacy not simply as a skill to be taught, but as a powerful tool for identity, connection, and empowerment. Small-group practicums and rich, thoughtful discussions with professors and peers helped me shape a teaching style that is intentional, compassionate, and grounded in research.
My time at Hofstra also gave me the confidence to take risks, ask bold questions, and keep students at the center of every decision I make. I graduated not only with four degrees, but with a deep belief in the transformative power of education and the preparation to make that transformation possible.