Emily Herring

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

I graduated from SRU in 2015 with a BS in Early Childhood and Special Education. During the spring and summer of 2015, I spent most of my time applying for and interviewing for teaching jobs while working as a Summer Camp Director at my local YMCA. In July, I got the good news that I was being offered a Kindergarten classroom teaching role in Concord, North Carolina. I had met the principal at a conference in Pittsburgh earlier that year, and patience paid off! I taught Kindergarten for two years and Second Grade Science/Social Studies for one at Cabarrus County Schools. Both were amazing and enriching, but I'd have to say that the Second Grade role was my favorite. 

 

In 2017, I enrolled in SRU's Master of Environmental Education and Natural Resource Management, an online program, and graduated at the end of 2018. At the end of the 2017-2018 school year, I left my teaching role to complete that program through an internship in Phoenix, Arizona, working with the Game and Fish Department. While there, I did a lot of education and outreach throughout the state of Arizona, as well as a lot of field work. It was incredible! 

 

Since then, I've moved through various roles - project manager, education and outreach specialist, and operations associate to name a few titles. Though none of those are "teacher" anymore, I would certainly not be where I am without the education and experience from my initial degrees and teaching roles.

 

2. Name one SRU experience, in general or specific to the field, that you will never forget and explain why. 

Student teaching in Mexico City, Mexico was the absolute highlight of my time at SRU! There are countless other things I loved about my time there, but that definitely stands out the most. The culture of Mexico, the sweet host family we stayed with, and the impressive school we taught in are all impossible to forget. 

 

3. Name an SRU faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why. 

Nearly every professor or faculty member I came in contact with had a positive influence in one way or another, but I'd have to say that Dr. Rob Snyder was the most influential. I loved that he always made his career into what he wanted it to be. He put in the work and excelled at whatever he chose to do, but he also showed me that it's okay to look outside of the classroom walls for other adventures. Not to mention, he was an excellent mentor and supportive supervisor throughout student teaching and post-grad, too! 

 

4. What initially piqued your interest in pursuing a degree in education? 

I've always been able to connect with children, and saw myself as a leader. I believe that a better society starts with children, and being a positive influence in a child's life is one of the greatest things a person can do. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching? 

I love the little connections you make with kids. They have so much to offer, so when you really take the time to listen and see them for who they are, it's incredibly rewarding. A simple exchange of smiles could always make my day! 

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

There are so many characteristics of a great teacher. I think compassion is one of the top qualities, though. It's easy to lose sight of why you're doing it once you get into the world of progress reports, standardized testing, state mandates, and parental influences. But the teachers who continue to love their careers for many years always have compassion. Compassion for their students, their families, coworkers, AND themselves.