From History Graduate Student to Rhode Island History Teacher of the Year: Maeve Kennedy’s Journey at Providence College
In Rhode Island, many history teachers are searching for ways to help students see the past as something living, complicated, and connected to the world around them. Maeve Kennedy ’19G, the 2024 Rhode Island History Teacher of the Year, has built her teaching career around that idea. Her journey through the Providence College History graduate program strengthened her voice as a historian, a researcher, and a classroom leader.
A Passion for Teaching Rooted in Family and Experience
Maeve’s connection to the field began long before she stepped into her first classroom. She grew up surrounded by stories, especially from her father, whose gift for storytelling sparked her interest in history. She also felt called to education early on, shaped by her family’s experiences as immigrants who did not have the chance to pursue higher education. Teaching, for her, became a way to carry forward the opportunities that changed her own family’s path.
After completing her undergraduate degrees in history and secondary education, Maeve began her career teaching in the San Francisco Unified School District. When she was awarded the prestigious James Madison Fellowship, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to deepen her expertise and enroll in the Providence College History graduate program. It was the ideal moment to strengthen the foundation of knowledge and skills she wanted to bring to her students.
“We cannot know who we are without knowing our history.”
Graduate Studies That Transform Teaching
The deeper story of Maeve’s growth as a teacher emerges through the work she did at Providence College. Much of what shaped her as an educator comes directly from the research, reading, and analysis she engaged in there. She recalls one course in particular that transformed the way she understood the founding era. In that class, students were asked to read a full year’s collection of letters from several founding fathers and share their insights each week. Maeve explained that this experience still shapes how she teaches early American history.
I still use the insights I gained from those letters and the discussion that followed to give some character and background to our founding fathers in my U.S. History class. I think sometimes history is presented in black-and-white terms. I hope these insights help my students realize that these men were complex humans and understand the grey areas of history.
Maeve Kennedy, ’19G
Classes with Dr. Jeff Johnson, Ph.D., Director of the Graduate History Program, had an equally powerful influence on Maeve’s development, sharpening the research and writing skills she now passes on to her own students. “The research and writing skills that I developed in these courses are things that I bring back to my classroom,” she noted. One activity from his course made such a lasting impression that she adapted it for her tenth-grade lesson on westward expansion, giving students a blank map and instructing them to mark where they believe the West begins, using that starting point to spark a deeper exploration of what the American West represents. Maeve hopes that the habits of critical thinking they develop will guide them not only as they study the past but also as they engage with news and current events today.
Classroom Impact and Recognition
Today, Maeve teaches ninth grade United States Government and Civics and tenth grade United States History at Ponaganset High School. Her classroom focuses on engagement, curiosity, and critical thinking, and her work has earned both schoolwide and statewide recognition.
“Personally, the award was incredibly energizing. It reaffirmed my dedication and motivated me to continue striving to create the most engaging classroom possible for my students. Professionally, the recognition was humbling, and it stands as a testament to the support I receive daily.”
She encourages anyone who feels called to education to pursue it wholeheartedly. Teaching is demanding but deeply rewarding, and her students bring a sense of energy and creativity every day. She hopes to continue refining her practice and ensuring that history remains relevant and engaging for all learners. Maeve’s journey shows the importance of strong training, supportive mentors, and a genuine love for history. Providence College helped her grow in all of these areas, and her students now benefit from the understanding and perspective she brings to the classroom.
Graduate History Program at PC Key Takeaways
- What’s a possible career path for a graduate history major? Alumni success stories showcase the benefits and career impact of earning a graduate degree from Providence College.
- How does Providence College prepare historians to teach in the classroom? Providence College coursework equips future educators with practical, hands-on activities they can use in their own classrooms.
- Does a graduate history degree from Providence College lead to awards or recognition? Many Providence College graduates have earned prestigious awards, including the 2024 Rhode Island History Teacher of the Year and the James Madison Fellowship.
- What kind of impact can I make with a M.A. in History from Providence College? The Providence College Graduate Program provides strong academic preparation, mentorship, and tools that help educators succeed and positively impact their students.
