Claudia Fernandes ’16

Claudia FernandesChild Study Major


"My decision to attend St. Joseph's wasn't immediate when I first heard of the school. However, my first visit back in summer 2011 was all I needed to realize I couldn't see myself anywhere else. The small campus and family-like feeling I felt sealed the deal. The scholarship only reassured my decision.

"The relationships you form here with students, faculty, and professors are invaluable and will make your time here even more worthwhile and memorable."

"My experience at St. Joseph's has been nothing but absolutely amazing. To say I'm sad to be graduating is an understatement. I've made amazing friends and memories, learned more about myself, and grown in the process as a student and future professional.

"Yes, I am graduating with an education that I feel has prepared me superbly for my career as a teacher. However, I am also graduating with friends I can call family, with a support team I will have for life, and with mentors I can trust. The relationships you form here with students, faculty, and professors are invaluable and will make your time here even more worthwhile and memorable.

"Nothing makes me happier than the opportunity to inspire a love for learning in children and learning from my students as well."

"I will be attending graduate school following graduation. Deciding on a graduate school was even easier than deciding which college I wanted to attend. With that being said, I will be continuing my education at St. Joseph's to pursue my master's degree (they just can't get rid of me). I also hope to be a full-time teacher this coming September. Nothing makes me happier than the opportunity to inspire a love for learning in children and learning from my students as well.

Favorite quote?

You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.

"This quote is by William W. Purkey. I first heard it from a cousin who sent it to me during a difficult period some years ago. It's my motto now. It reminds me that I can live life in one of two ways: as if every day is filled with new and great possibilities or as if each day will simply be unexciting or disappointing. I make the decision every morning to go with the first option. Life is a blessing and simply too short to waste."

Who has been the biggest influence on your life?

"My parents are my constant inspiration.  Their undying love and support knows no boundaries.  How they have raised triplets is a mystery on its own.  Though they weren't fortunate enough to have the education my brothers and I now have, they have always made it a priority to ensure that our education came first. 

"They've supported each one of us in our career paths no matter how many times that may have changed.  Their strength and faith are qualities I hope I can pass on to my own family one day.  There really are no words to thank them for their countless sacrifices and their love. They are my constant inspiration and if I can one day be to my children what they have been to me, I will be incredibly blessed."

What inspired you to go into your major?

"I've always loved school. I was that child that two weeks into summer vacation started begging to go back to school. I loved ending the school day knowing something I hadn't known that morning or doing something better than I did that morning. The encouragement and support I received from my teachers only furthered my love for being in the classroom. To put it simply; I loved learning. This love eventually turned into a love for inspiring others to also love learning. 

Ultimately, this is my goal as teacher. I live for the moments when students' eyes light up at the sudden understanding of a concept. My heart fills when students are actively engaged in a lesson. There has never been a doubt in my mind that I want to spend the rest of my life inspiring others to love learning and enjoy school as I did when I was younger."