Jillian DiBonaventura joined the STEM Education Center at WPI as the Director of Teacher Preparation in 2022. Her extensive and varied background within the field of education include rich experiences as a classroom educator for middle-level Science and before coming to WPI, she served as the Coordinator of Teacher Education for Smith College.

Jillian began her career teaching Music (K-12) for the Worcester Public Schools (WPS) before transitioning into Science education, which she taught for 10 years between the Worcester and Wachusett Regional School Districts. Jillian has taught methodology courses in education as well as elementary science methods as an adjunct faculty member at American International College, Fitchburg State University, and Smith College. 

Jillian is particularly interested in inquiry-based teaching methodology, mindfulness, and incorporating the latest in learning sciences research as to how students learn best in the classroom. She also has a passion for supporting students with an equity lens through differentiated instructional methods, and in making STEM more accessible to all through the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. 

Furthermore, Jillian believes that all students can succeed in a rigorous course of study with appropriate levels of support. She has been a long-time asset to the Worcester community and was previously part of the WPI community as a Camp Reach instructor. Jillian is excited to work as part of the STEM Education Center at WPI and continues to lead and grow the WPI Teacher Preparation Program.