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Darren Ramalho earns master’s at Columbia University Teachers College

Darren Ramalho, the director of Breakthrough Charter School in Marion, recently attended commencement exercises at Columbia University in New York. He earned a master’s degree in education from the university’s Teachers College.

Ramalho came to the Black Belt as a Teach for America fellow in 2015 and taught at Robert C. Hatch School for a number of years before founding Breakthrough. He is originally from California and holds a bachelor’s degree from U.C.L.A.

A delayed flight due to severe weather nearly dashed Ramalho’s plans to celebrate his commencement in person, but was able to secure an early-morning flight from Huntsville that allowed him to arrive on time.

In addition to completing his master’s degree, Ramalho is capping off a successful first year with Breakthrough, which has plans to expand next year.