Drew Michael McWeeney is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Hartford, and an assistant professor and program chairperson of early childhood education at CT State Community College Norwalk. He teaches various early childhood and teacher education courses and supervises student teachers. 

Prior to his studies, he spent seven years in rural and urban Connecticut as a public school infant, toddler, and preschool special education teacher of students with both Autism and severe and profund disabilities. 

During his years as a teacher, Mr. McWeeney was one of 13 teachers in his district to have received the Parent Choice Award in 2020. He also received the highest teacher evaluation ratings in his district; and because of this, he received a grant totaling over $32,000 from the Connecticut State Department of Education in recognition for his students' annual gains. 

He is the drummer for the Travelers Chorale, the oldest company-affiliated choral group in America, and freelances around the Northeastern United States as a percussionist and a composer, assisting many well-known cover bands to original bands, as well as professional and university conservatory-level ensembles including, but not limited to: Zac-N-Fried, the Screamin Eagle Band, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Big Joe and the Stolen Hearts, and Branded: Country That Rocks. His music is recorded on the independent label and includes eleven total discs. Highlights include recordings with and performances alongside Jeewon Park, Ronald Carter, David Darling, William Boughton, Daniel Perkins, Michael Philip Mossman, Jerry Springer, Bruce Gregori, Charlie Morgan, Dennis Gallo, Nathan East, Alex Brown, as well as Guy Walker at venues including, but not limited to: destination weddings, music festivals, fairs, concert halls, lobbies, resorts and casinos, and other 10,000+ capacity venues.

In addition to music, Mr. McWeeney is an opinion columnist whose polemical writings have been featured in state and national newspapers, and has been cited in various media outlets including, but not limited to: CNN, The Atlantic, and the Indian newspaper Rising Nepal. In 2019, he was the subject for Southern Connecticut State University's national television commercial. In 2020, Mr. McWeeney received a Grammy nomination for his part in David Darling’s album Homage to Kindness.

In the academic world—at the local, state, and national level—he presents at a variety of conferences and serves on boards, committees, and task forces. He presents professional development for school districts, receives consistent funded grants for projects, and is in the process of publishing two journal articles.

Current projects include three books on education, a piece for string quartet and upright bass, a piece for percussion ensemble and multiple percussion, the writing and publishing of unfinished music of David Darling for producer Mickey Houlihan, a symphony for the University of California—San Diego Chamber Orchestra, music for the University of Northern Colorado Chamber Choir, and studio work with and for bassist Kenny Passarelli.

Mr. McWeeney is also the owner of McWeeney Aquatic Consulting, LTP, LLC, and is licensed to practice in Connecticut. His firm specializes in aquatic programming, development, and services for both aquatic industry workers and facilities.

Of all is his proudest accomplishment raising two daughters, Madeline Linda and Savannah Carmella.