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When Alan DiGennaro ’96 decided it was time to return to college, Salem State University already felt familiar.
“I remember walking around campus and thinking it was exactly the right size,” he says. “Everyone I knew who had gone to Salem State had nothing but positive things to say. It felt like the place where I belonged.”
Although he entered Salem State undecided, an introductory communications course quickly changed his direction. “About 30 minutes into my first communications class, I knew I had found my major,” DiGennaro says. “It combined everything I enjoyed – writing, public speaking and connecting with people.”
Small class sizes and dedicated faculty left a lasting impression. One professor changed the way he viewed himself. “She was the first adult who ever told me, without me asking, that I was an excellent writer,” he says. “She encouraged me to pursue writing because it came naturally to me. Sometimes all it takes is one professor believing in you to change the way you see your own abilities.”
He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in communications with a concentration in public relations, discovering strengths that would shape his career long after graduation.
From Public Relations to Public Education
After graduation, DiGennaro began his career in public relations before realizing he wanted work that felt more meaningful. While working at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, a conversation with his husband prompted him to reconsider his path.
“He looked at me and said, ‘I always thought you’d make a great teacher,’” DiGennaro recalls. “Looking back, it makes perfect sense. As a child, I used to line up my stuffed animals and neighborhood kids and ‘play’ school. Teaching was always part of me. It just took someone else pointing it out for everything to click.”
The next day, he was at UMass Boston asking what he needed to do to become one. He earned his master’s degree in education while continuing to work full time, and what began as a career change quickly felt like the right calling.
Today, DiGennaro has spent more than 23 years with the Boston Public Schools and serves as administrator of the pre-K building at Warren-Prescott School, where he oversees six classrooms and works closely with students, families and staff.
Every morning, he greets students by name as they arrive, makes time to connect with parents before the school day begins and visits each classroom, building relationships and supporting teachers however he can.
“My job is to make sure every family feels welcomed and supported from the moment they walk through the door,” he says. “If students don’t feel connected to you, the academics won’t matter.”
Giving Back to Future Educators
In addition to his work, DiGennaro mentors new educators and serves on hiring committees for Boston Public Schools. He hopes to reconnect with Salem State by sharing practical advice with students preparing to enter the profession.
“Your first year is going to feel like you’re building the plane as you fly it,” he says. “It’s challenging, but it’s also one of the most rewarding years you’ll ever have.”
He encourages future teachers to find a school whose culture aligns with their values, learn from experienced colleagues and prioritize balance to avoid burnout. “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself so you can show up for your students every day.”
Looking back, DiGennaro credits Salem State with helping him discover both his strengths and the confidence to pursue them.
"Salem State helped me figure out what I enjoyed and what I was good at," he says. "You don't have to have everything figured out right away. Stay open to opportunities, trust yourself and don't be afraid to change directions when something feels right."