Elaine Churganis

Doctoral Fellow in Educational Administration

Even though Elaine Chugranis comes from a long line of educators and had always envisioned herself as a teacher, she still had to struggle with her decision to follow her heart. Many of her friends were critical of her calling to become a teacher. They wondered why she wanted to “squander her talents on teaching,” and they noted that there was “no respect in today’s society for teachers.”

These criticisms inspired Elaine to question her values and motivations: “In order to find meaning in life did I have to make wheelbarrows of money? Did I really want to spend the rest of my life pushing papers? Or did I want a career in which I could deeply impact and influence lives?”

Elaine answered these questions by enrolling in a special five-year program at The University of Virginia where she received a bachelors degree with Distinction in Spanish and Italian and a masters degree in teaching with a concentration in foreign language education.

She started working as a Spanish teacher in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1999. “I thoroughly enjoyed my teaching experience but I wanted to further challenge myself and continue my studies.” She is now pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Administration.

“Some people go into teaching because it’s a job,” she observes. “Others go into teaching to make a difference. I’m hoping to make a difference.”

Learn more about our Department of Administration, Leadership, and Technology.

Written by Ed Goodgold.