Dilyse and Maureen Lorello, twin sisters from South Portland and recent UMF grads, hope to make an impact in Maine classrooms as elementary school teachers. After earning their Associate’s degrees in Education at Southern Maine Community College, they transferred to Farmington to obtain their Bachelor’s degrees and have the residential college experience.
Maureen and Dilyse Lorello found the change from community college to UMF’s four-year program an easy transition.
They were happy to discover that there is more than one pathway to a college education at Farmington, and study at a community college can work seamlessly with the Farmington residential college experience. Both have excelled in their studies and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education this spring as members of the Class of 2023.
“I have had the best college experience,” said Dilyse Lorello. “My years at SMCC and Farmington each provided unique social and learning opportunities. I can’t say enough good things about all of my professors, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“UMF has provided us with a toolkit of experience, knowledge and mentorship that we can draw on in any teaching situation and at any time,” she said. “I am really excited about starting my teaching career in western Maine and hope to give back by being a mentor to UMF students and upcoming teachers.”
The UMF program prepares pre-service teachers with a wide variety of education and classroom experiences as well as a large network of professional support. They both have plans to stay in Maine and teach, Dilyse in central Maine and Maureen in southern Maine.