Courtney Lebetz

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held?

I attended Slippery Rock University (2014-2018) and had a dual major in Early Childhood Education and Special Education.  During my time at SRU, I worked at the SGA/SRU Preschool& Child Care Center. I also worked at a daycare in my hometown during the summers and holiday breaks.  These experiences allowed me to find my passion for teaching young kids. I was an executive board member for Kappa Delta Pi, an international honors society in education, at SRU.  I was able to volunteer my time to help others in the community and build relationships with my peers. Currently I am an Elementary Autistic Support Teacher at Merakey, located in Leechburg PA.  This school is made up of both Autistic Support and Emotional Support classrooms.

2.  What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? 

The most rewarding part of my job is watching my students’ progress.  When I enter their data into graphs, monthly summaries, etc. and I see the number of behaviors decreasing and their academic goals being achieved I know that I am making a real difference. 

3.  What advice would you give to current students who are enrolled in the teacher preparation program, and to SRU students generally?  

 

I would suggest paying attention in your education classes—you will use what you learn!!!  If you are in the special education program ask to write mock IEPs, run a mock IEP meeting, or really anything that will give you a real-life experience.  Ask to go to a private special education school such as Merakey or Hope Learning Center. These places will give you experiences that no class could teach. To any SRU student—in the teaching prep program or not—get involved on campus and make connections with people outside of your classes. NETWORK.  Join a club, volunteer, play a sport. Do something that you love and will help you grow as an individual.

4.  Name an SRU experience or faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.

This is a hard question for me to answer. Mainly because all my professors and experiences at SRU were amazing and made a positive influence on me. However, I have two professors that really stick out. One being Dr. Michelle McCollin. This lady made every day feel like a party.  She loved life to the fullest and everyone knew it. Her classes were influential because she didn’t just teach from a book. She gave us authentic experiences and opportunities to learn from. She was real with us. She told us that our jobs were not going to be easy. But she also gave us the confidence that we could make a difference for children everywhere.  Dr. McCollin is extremely missed. I pray that her spirit and love for education is still felt by all of those at SRU.

The second professor that made a lasting influence on me is Dr. Bieniek.  I was lucky enough to have Dr. Bieniek for several special ed. classes as well as my student teaching advisor.  He was there for me every step of the road. From being stressed over schoolwork to cheering me on during student teaching observations, he was always there to guide my way and help me with whatever I needed.  Now, almost a year after graduation, I am still in contact with him and have decided to join the ABA master’s program that he is the graduate coordinator of. 

5.  What makes a great teacher?

Before I became a teacher, I thought I knew what made a teacher great. I thought he/she was confident and prepared and knew it all. Now that I am an actual teacher, I know that isn’t the case all the time. There are some days that I am “winging” it and just trying to survive the day.  And I quickly realized that this is okay sometimes.  What makes a great teacher isn’t materials and test scores and being perfect. What makes a great teacher is showing your students that what you do isn’t a job or for a paycheck. Show your students that you actually care.  Give high fives. Smile. Be weird and crazy.  My students tell me almost every day “Ms. Courtney, you’re crazy” and I am perfectly okay with that. Not every day is a dance party. There are days when I go into a closest and cry. However, I suck it up and go on with the rest of my day because I LOVE my students.  Now I’m not saying I’m a great teacher. I still have so much to learn, and I am grateful for my co-workers that have helped me through this insane first year.  A great teacher continues to learn, grow, and better themselves for their students’ sake.  And that is what I plan to do.