HGSE alumni work amazing jobs across the world. We asked alumni that are one-year out to share about their new positions and post-HGSE perspectives. Maria Alejandra Hernandez was in the Education Policy and Management program and graduated in 2019.
What is your current role/responsibilities?
I currently work at the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Center for Instructional Support. As the Instructional Policy Lead, I help advocate for the use of high-quality, standards-aligned curricular materials as a means to provide ALL students an equitable and inclusive education. In alignment with this vision, I lead the CURATE (CUrriculum RAtings by TEachers) project, which convenes MA educators from across the state to review and evaluate curricular materials’ standards alignment, accessibility for students, and usability by teachers. These result in user-friendly reports that can help support districts in their curriculum adoption decision-making process.
How did HGSE prepare you for the position?
HGSE prepared me for this position in various ways. One particular skill I developed at HGSE is making cross-content and cross-course connections. This happens on a daily basis in my role. I’m part of a team that’s charged with incubating new initiatives while ensuring coherence across different offices. I always found it rewarding when content I was learning in Karen Mapp’s Family Engagement course overlapped with topics I was learning in other courses. Because I developed this skill early on, I’ve been successful in my role. Another skill I refined at HGSE was to think critically about data. Common questions in my stats courses were: Is the data valid? What is the data not showing? Can you actually draw conclusions from the data? Is the data showing a significant impact? These are questions that have followed me in my role. Because of these skills, I have been better prepared to engage in critical conversations and decision-making that have the power to influence MA teachers and students.
What is your favorite HGSE memory?
My favorite memory of HGSE took place at the Alumni of Color Conference in March 2019. During that weekend, I had the opportunity to attend panel sessions and discussions that were facilitated by my peers, by my friends, and by people I admire. This conference celebrated the talents and impact that alumni and current students are making in the field of education. Being in a predominantly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) space at HGSE, even if just for a weekend, was empowering and uplifting. This weekend proved the power of our collective.
What is your advice to prospective students?
Dear Prospective Student,
While you have faced many obstacles in your life and educational trajectory, oftentimes the biggest obstacle we face is ourselves. We don’t believe we can “make it.” We don’t believe we will succeed. We don’t believe we’ll fit in. We don’t believe it’s for us. Believe in yourself. Believe in your story. Believe in your power. Believe in your impact.
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