WORCESTER — An educator in Worcester Public Schools has been honored with a statewide recognition.
Claremont Academy history teacher Joseph Moriarty, a Worcester Public Schools educator and proud Worcester State University alumnus, has been recognized with the 2026 Massachusetts State Universities Educator Alumni Award, an honor celebrating outstanding educators across the Commonwealth.
Presented annually by the Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents, the award recognizes one educator from each Massachusetts state university whose work reflects the strength and impact of public higher education in Massachusetts.
Moriarty was selected by Worcester State University as its 2026 honoree and was recognized during a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House on April 29. He was one of nine educators from across the state to receive the award.
The recognition honors alumni who exemplify excellence in education and make meaningful contributions to schools and communities throughout Massachusetts.
A Worcester State graduate, Moriarty earned his Bachelor of Arts in history in 2015 before returning to complete a master’s degree in moderate disabilities in 2023. He began his career in youth work through Worcester State University’s Latino Education Institute, an experience that helped shape his commitment to education, equity and student advocacy.
Moriarty has worked in Worcester Public Schools for 11 years and currently teaches Latin American Studies, AP Human Geography and Peacebuilding at Claremont Academy. His teaching focuses on student-centered instruction, culturally responsive learning and innovative classroom approaches designed to help students connect academic material to real-world issues and their own experiences.
“Being a teacher is the best job in the world,” Moriarty said. “Inspiring students to see the brilliance within themselves and giving them space to grow and express their understanding of the world brings me great joy. Anything I’ve been able to do in my classroom is only possible because of my students’ willingness to work hard, express themselves and think outside the box. Every challenge I give them, they rise to and often surpass what I thought was possible.”
In his Latin American Studies course, Moriarty created a project in which students research and analyze political revolutions throughout Latin America, building historical understanding through inquiry, discussion and presentations.
He has also incorporated Hip Hop Pedagogy into his curriculum, using the five elements of hip hop as a framework for student learning and expression. Through music, graffiti art, poetry and rap, students explore themes of culture, resistance, identity and history in ways designed to make learning more engaging and relevant.
Beyond the classroom, Moriarty is piloting a peer mentoring program through his Peacebuilding course that gives students opportunities to support one another, strengthen relationships and develop leadership skills rooted in empathy and collaboration.
“Joe creates a classroom environment where students feel empowered to think critically, express themselves authentically, and engage meaningfully with the world around them,” said Claremont Academy Principal Chris LaBreck. “His creativity, commitment to student voice, and passion for teaching make him an outstanding educator and a deserving recipient of this recognition.”
Moriarty lives in Worcester with his wife and two sons and remains committed to student empowerment and community engagement. His work reflects a belief in education as a tool for opportunity, connection and lasting change.
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