A Family Affair: Four Filipettis Graduate Together from the Faculty of Education

Convocation was an especially memorable occasion for the Filipetti family this month, as all four members of the family crossed the stage as graduates of Lakehead University’s Faculty of Education!

For Mike and Julie Filipetti, this milestone represented the culmination of decades-long careers in education and their continued commitment to lifelong learning. For their daughters, Maddy and Abby, it marked the beginning of their own journeys as certified teachers.

Mike Filipetti, currently the Intermediate/Senior Division Coordinator in the Faculty of Education (Thunder Bay campus) earned his Master of Education degree. A Lakehead alumnus, Mike previously graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education (Junior/Intermediate). Throughout his career, he has served students and communities across Northern Ontario and the North, teaching in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Eabametoong First Nation, the Algoma District School Board, Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, and Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board. He has worked in Special Education and was a school principal before joining Lakehead University.

Julie Filipetti also earned a Master of Education degree, and she is also an alumna of the Faculty, having graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education (Junior/Intermediate). Her career has included teaching positions in Kingfisher Lake First Nation, Eabametoong First Nation, the Algoma District School Board, Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, Lakehead Public Schools, and Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board. For more than 20 years, she has served as a Special Education teacher and Special Education Lead at St. Ignatius High School. Along the way, she coached basketball and volleyball and contributed to numerous school initiatives. Julie, who is now retiring, looks forward to traveling and pursuing hobbies in the years ahead.

The celebration was made even more special by the achievements of the couple’s daughters.

Maddy Filipetti graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Bachelor of Education (Primary/Junior). Currently an Occasional Teacher with Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, Maddy also operates an independent photography business. She is excited to continue occasional teaching in the fall.

Abby Filipetti earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology along with a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate/Senior, Biology/Chemistry). She currently works as an Occasional Teacher with both Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and Lakehead Public Schools. This summer, Abby is serving as Director of Superior Science, Lakehead University’s summer science camp, and is looking forward to occasional teaching in the fall.

While earning a degree is a significant accomplishment on its own, celebrating four graduations from the same family at the same convocation is a rare achievement. Congratulations to the Filipetti family!

Pictured below, left to right: Maddy, Mike, Julie, and Abby.