05/05/2026
On April 29, the State Universities of Massachusetts celebrated the remarkable achievements of nine exceptional educators who emerged from the system’s teacher preparation programs. These dedicated individuals were honored at the Massachusetts State House for their unwavering commitment to teaching excellence, even when faced with challenges, and for their impactful contributions to the communities they serve.
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Worcester State alumnus Joseph Moriarty, '15 & '23, for earning this prestigious award for 2026. Joseph's dedication and passion light the way for future educators. Here is an excerpt from his award announcement:
Joseph Moriarty is a proud Worcester State University alumnus who has been employed in the Worcester Public Schools as a teacher for 11 years. He graduated in 2015 with a B.A. History, and then again in 2023 with a Master’s degree in Moderate Disabilities. He started his career in youth work through the Worcester State University Latino Education Institute. Joseph currently teaches Latin American Studies, AP Human Geography, and Peace Building. In his Latin American studies class, he developed a class project where students conduct research and demonstrate their understanding of political revolution in Latin American History. He has successfully integrated Hip Hop pedagogy into his curriculum, in which students showcase their learning using the five elements of Hip-Hop, celebrating culture and resistance through music, graffiti art, spoken word poetry, and rap. He is also piloting a peer mentoring program through his Peace Building course. In the spring of 2025, Joseph, who is a Phi Delta Kappa member, was the keynote speaker at Worcester State University’s annual Phi Delta Kappa honor society induction ceremony. His speech was about building communities, and he provided models of how he has successfully engaged families and the community in addressing the needs of children. Joe lives in Worcester with his wife and two sons and remains deeply committed to student empowerment and community engagement.
