1. What is
your educational background and what positions have you held? Please include
the current school district and grade/s.
I graduated from
Slippery Rock in May 2019 with my Bachelors in Elementary Education and a minor
in mathematics. I graduated from the University of Alabama in May 2024 with my
Masters in Educational Leadership. I'm also certified to teach middle school
math as well as high school algebra and geometry. I am currently pursuing my
National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Mathematics. I teach 6th
grade math at Albertville Intermediate School in Albertville, Alabama. I
previously taught 7th grade math and before that, 6th grade math in Stafford
County, Virginia. In my free time, I review manuscripts for Solution Tree
publishing company and was interviewed for "Lessons from Great Teachers to
Teachers Who Want to be Great" which is coming out in January 2025.
2. Name
one SRU experience, in general or specific to the field, that you
will never forget and explain why.
I have two experiences
that really stick out to me from my time at Slippery Rock. My student
teaching experience made a huge impact on me. Mrs. Albert and Mrs. Eyth
at Summit Elementary helped me become a better teacher, especially in
areas I felt I needed to improve. They helped build my confidence and
supported me in the fun engaging lessons I taught. Just a few weeks before
I started student teaching, I had the opportunity to travel to Spain for about
two weeks. During this time we visited the American School of Valencia and
toured both Valencia and Barcelona. It was an eye opening experience to see
another culture and school setting as well as my first experience working with
bilingual students. I wish I was able to spend more time there!
3. Name
an SRU faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.
Dr. Tours always went
above and beyond to get to know her students and address their concerns. She is
constantly striving to improve what she does to support her students. I still
remember her being someone I spoke to during my first year of teaching. I am so
grateful to have been in multiple of her classes!
4. What initially
piqued your interest in pursuing a degree in education?
Growing up, I was
always interested in becoming a teacher. My high school had a preschool on
campus where I taught students during my junior and senior year after having
taken child development. It was such a rewarding experience that solidified my decision
to become a teacher.
5. What do you love
most about teaching?
I love getting to build
relationships with my students and creating engaging lessons
that students find memorable. It's so rewarding to see how much they grow
academically and as individuals as the year goes on!
6. What makes a great
teacher?
I think great teachers
work really hard to build positive relationships with both
their students and their families throughout the entire school year. They
see their students as individuals and know what makes them unique. I
believe it's important for teachers to incorporate their students' interests
into lessons the best they can while being flexible to meet the needs of
their students.
