Emily Wujcik

What is your educational background and what positions have you held?
I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education with a minor in Aquatics from SRU in 2016. Following that, I earned my M.S. in Sport Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). During my schooling, I held many different positions within the Aquatic Field; I continued to be an American Red Cross certified lifeguard and swimming instructor at multiple different facilities, as well as being an Assistant Swimming Coach for the Slippery Rock Eels Swim Team for 3 years. When I was working to earn my M.S. from IUP, I had the distinct opportunity to be a full-time Graduate Assistant for the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA). Now, I am currently the Aquatics and Safety Coordinator for Saint Louis University (SLU) in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Department where I oversee all of the aquatic staff, work with student trainers to continuously train all student staff working in our building.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
While there are many rewarding things in my job, the most rewarding aspect of my job is getting to work with students and helping them become successful not only in their employment here at SLU, but in their careers of choice as well. Being able to work with students who have high aspirations in life motivates me to do the same. Every student brings their own energy into their work and with that strong desire to be successful and be innovative, there is nothing that they can't triumph over.

What advice would you give to current students who are enrolled in the teacher preparation program, and to SRU students generally?
The best advice I could give to current SRU students is to give it everything you have and to try the new and exciting things that might be a little scary to tackle at first. Just because something is different doesn't mean it's bad, and if you never try you'll never truly know what you are capable of; everyone is so much more capable and stronger than what we give ourselves credit for. I feel that it's important to tackle those "what if's" in our lives and prove to ourselves and everyone else that we can do it and we can and will be successful even if we hit a bump on the road.

Name an SRU experience or faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.
Throughout my time at SRU, I have a multitude of wonderful eye-opening experiences and had the tremendous opportunity to work with many talented and inspiring professors at SRU. One that really stood out to me was my Aquatics instructor, Mr. Robert Ogoreuc. Between taking all of the classes for the completion of my Aquatics minor and all of the hours I spent working and teaching alongside him within the classroom, truly inspired me to go down the path that put me where I am today. Mr. Ogoruec gave me opportunities to attend different conferences, work with different groups of people from school-age children to adults who were police officers or water rescuers. Being able to explore different avenues withing the world of Aquatics led me where I am now at SLU. Spending countless hours working with Mr. Ogoreuc opened my eyes to truly understand and find my own career path.

What makes a great teacher?
I believe that there is no one singular aspect or element that makes a great teacher. Everyone brings their own strengths into their teaching, but what is consistent among many teachers is the care that they have for others and that we as teachers still have that passion to continue learning ourselves. You are never too old, too young, too new, too experienced, or too anything to learn new things. I believe that we can all relate to ever-insightful Dr. Seuss when he wrote, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go." in his book I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! And if you ask any teacher about their students you will see the passion that shines bright with excitement for their growth and development - regardless of what subject they are teaching or the age of their students.