Nicholas and Desirae Endres

Nicholas

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
Spring 2014 / Health and Physical Education

What jobs have you landed?
I got my first teaching job offer about a month before graduation at The Covenant School located in Charlottesville, VA. I am currently the PreK-6th grade Health and Physical Education teacher here.

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
At the time of my interview I was finishing student teaching and so I spoke a lot with my co-operating teachers about the upcoming interview. They were all fantastic at their jobs so I used their input and advice.

What have you done well at that job?
In addition to my day to day teaching duties I lead our annual Jump Rope for Heart event for the school district. Last year our students raised over $13,000 for the American Heart Association.
I also take the lead role in directing our annual Parent-Teacher Basketball game. Last year, we had over 10 University of Virginia basketball players come and partake in the event as well to help out the teachers as “substitutes”. It was quite the hit!

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
I am in my second year as our school’s Head Junior High Football Coach and Varsity Wrestling Assistant. With the wrestling team, I was part of a coaching staff that coached our school’s first wrestling state champ in school history!
I also served as the Head Coach for our youth wrestling club last year; I was very busy to say the least.

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
It’s hard to pinpoint just a few of the faculty at SRU. Our Health and Phys. Ed. program is just that high quality of a program that each and every one of the professors I had shaped a big part of my love for teaching.
If I had to mention one name it would be our department chair, Dr. Randy Nichols. He of course is a big reason of the department’s success by the way he leads. It takes a great servant to be a leader and he certainly takes plenty of time, from what I noticed during my time there, to spend with the students and faculty alike. He’s not just one to sit in his office all day, but he puts to practice what he teaches. All the faculty do. The day the Health and Phys. Ed. department take each fall to take their students out to Moraine State Park is a prime example of faculty encouraging their students to get active. That’s important because that’s part of what we teach.

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
My success story is not just my doing but has a lot to do with those I spent my time with at SRU. I tell students I work with all the time that are older and heading off to college that the biggest piece of advice I can give from my experience is to find a good community of people. What you do and who you do it with during your time in school will have a big impact on your future. I was blessed to be surrounded by great peers and staff that were doing the right things and encouraged me to do the same.

Desirae

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
I graduated in December of 2013, and my major was secondary education/ English.

What jobs have you landed?
Last year I was a long term substitute teacher from October-June teaching 9th and 11th grade honors English. This year, I was hired full time by the same county to teach 8th grade in a middle school. I teach at Walton Middle School of Albemarle County Public Schools, a wonderful school district near Charlottesville, VA.

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
Because I was already experienced with the terminology of the school district and knew what they held important, I studied the key concepts that they implement. Even if I hadn't worked in this school, all of this type of information is usually available online. I typically find it helpful to research as much as possible on the district, and then think about how I have implemented what they value in my previous teaching experiences, and how I plan to implement it if they were to hire me.

What have you done well at that job?
I think one of the most important things that I have done is asked for support/ accepted every support they have offered. The first year of teaching is so much harder than anyone lets on- even though they do stress that it is difficult in the first place. I work with a mentor teacher/ instructional coach, I am by choice collaborating with the other language arts teacher for certain classes that match up well, and I humbly ask other teachers what works best for students that I have trouble with/ the culture of the students at the school. I am in no way afraid to sound like I don't know it all- because I don't! And through asking for help I am able to reflect on what I am doing well and what I need to change.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
I ran an all day poetry slam last year at the high school that I taught at. It is an annual event where students are encouraged to share their poetry or read poetry that they love in front of an audience. It was the best turn out that they'd ever had!

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
My student teaching experience was wonderful, and my supervising teacher, Dr. DuPont, really encouraged me. I can think of so many wonderful faculty members that influenced me, though, including Dr. Hilton and Dr. Hicks. Not to mention the great English professors, Dr. Balok and Dr. Permenter. I still keep in touch with Dr. Balok and felt so encouraged by her through my job search. Can you tell I loved my professors?

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from
Two things: First, move for a job if you have to. It is so tough to find a job in PA, so if you can't find one, move if you are able to. My husband and I moved for teaching and found ourselves in this lovely, sunny city in Virginia. We are so happy we made that choice.
Second, when field experiences and student teaching are our first real tastes of the classroom, it is really easy to become overwhelmed by seeing all of the responsibilities teachers must take on each day. Don't be discouraged by that. I remember looking at my cooperating teacher and wondering how she could possibly do it all. The first year of teaching is extremely hard, as I mentioned before, but we adapt to the challenges that we take on. There have been many times where I've felt the scary feeling that teaching isn't for me- but I know it is because of the overwhelming nature of the job. When you feel those overwhelming feelings that come with the first steps into the classroom and your first days in front of students, don't doubt yourself, but rather trust that you are capable of far more than you believe. I know it sounds cheesy, but it is absolutely true. And more than ever, students need good teachers to care for them and to learn from.

Morgan Cashell

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
I graduated in May 2014 and my major was Secondary Education in English, with a minor in Special Education

What jobs have you landed?
Upon graduation, I was hired as a full-time English teacher at Hill House Passport Academy Charter School in Pittsburgh, PA. I now work as a full-time English Language Arts (grade 8) teacher at Huston Middle School, which is Burrell School District.

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
I reviewed information and tips that were taught in college and throughout my student teaching experiences. I also researched online for help, and just tried to have confidence in myself. Also, I made sure that my resume was effectively formatted!

What have you done well at that job?
I am really enjoying my new position! I am always differentiating instruction and creating lessons to engage students. It is important to stay current.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
I received an award from my first teaching job, Hill House Passport Academy Charter School.

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
I had a lot of great professors at SRU. I was strongly influenced by Dr. John Hicks. He taught me a lot about education and how to effectively manage a classroom. I also learned a lot from my English professors. I learned an immense amount from my mentors during student teaching at Karns City Area High School.

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
Keep trying! Education is a difficult job market; there are so many people trying to land the same job! However, you can be successful if you put in the work and make yourself standout. I also went back to SRU and earned my dual-certification in Special Education, which helped me in the career field.

Michelle Barr

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
May 2013 Secondary Social Studies education

What jobs have you landed?
Currently teach high school social studies at South Florence High School, Florence School District 1 in Florence, South Carolina. The past two years I have been teaching world geography and this year I am teaching world history, economics and AP macroeconomics

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
The career development center on campus was a great tool. The counselors helped develop my resume to work for the applications. I interviewed around 10 times before landing my current job. Each time they commented on the resume. I was also asked a lot of the same questions- why do you want this job?, etc. the resources available on the websites at SRU are extremely helpful and well put together. I also researched the area I was interviewing for. My current job I interviewed on Skype. However, I still looked up the schools website and principals name and looked at articles written. Most of all I tried to remain calm because if I was offered the job these people would be whom I was working with.

What have you done well at that job?
What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
In college I worked in the undergraduate admissions office, as a tutor, lifeguard. I also participated on a care break every year I could. I traveled to New Mexico, Arkansas and Savannah, Georgia. Due to my trip to Savannah I fell in love with southern culture and hospitality and knew when I graduated college I would head down that way plus there would be teaching jobs.
Where I currently work I am advisor for our Mock Trial team and that has been my startup project for the last three years, along with two other teachers. I was also named a teacher of the month my first year teaching.

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
Dr. Jason Hilton- when I was student teaching he told me that I would make a great colleague and that stuck with me. I make sure I do my expected job but I also get out and get to know my co-workers. My number one rule in the classroom is we never say mean things about other teachers. However, if a student says something positive I make sure I tell that teacher.
Dr. John Hicks- when he tells me in class that he had once moved out of state to teach I knew it wasn't a terrible decision. I know eventually my fiancé and I will be moving back north to teach and that's okay because we are both getting great experience down here
Also, I had an amazing student teaching experience at New Castle High School with Mr. John Corey. He had complete confidence in me from day one and his confidence in me helped me thrive while I was there. Also PA has an amazingly thorough process to become a teacher, a lot of what I did as a senior in college was repeated again my first year teaching so I felt extremely confident in my past experiences in student teaching because it rocked.

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
I enjoyed every second of it. I loved SRU and I miss it too. However, I met my fiancé, Andrew Cummings, my first day as a freshman and we are getting married June 2016. Don't be afraid to ask questions, don't be afraid to say that I don't know why I want to be a teacher right now as a senior because you haven't been an actual teacher yet. I tell people daily how much slippery rock prepared me for teaching and they believe me because it is reflected in how I work with my students on a daily basis. Besides being out of state, I seem to be so much cooler because I am not from the area, or maybe I just think I am.

Ben Lombardo

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
I graduated in 2015, and my major was music education.

What jobs have you landed?
I am now the Director of Bands at Skyline High School, located in Front Royal, VA....

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
I went to A TON of practice interviews, as well as, prepping/individualizing my resume for each job I applied for. I even interviewed for jobs I knew I didn't want just to get the interview experience. Also, I was sure to do detailed research on the school, area, and faculty before interviewing.

What have you done well at that job?
I would like to believe that I am helping to encourage a sense of pride, unity, and hard work within my students by working together with other departments to make our organization a thriving one. Since we started band camp in July, the band has made great strides forward, and will be competing in their first competition in 7 years.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
I served as Assistant Marching Band Director for both Slippery Rock and Montour High Schools. During my time at SRU, I was Mu Phi Epsilon President, Principal Tuba for the SRU Wind Ensemble and Brass Band, and Commanding Officer for the SRU Marching Pride.

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
The faculty at Swope Music Hall helped prepare me beyond anything I could have expected when first entering SRU. I could list all of the professors at Swope Music Hall, but it was truly ALL of them who helped make a profound difference in the direction my life has gone. Participating in organizations such as PCMEA, Mu Phi Epsilon, The SRU Marching Pride, and many more helped to give me a well rounded and meaningful experience.

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. The more open you are to learning, the more experience you are going to get and the more prepared you will be. SRU offers more opportunities than you will realize at the time. So it is important not to take them for granted and just do it!

Hayley Gombita

What jobs have you landed?
I was a building substitute in the Montour School District right after I graduated from Slippery Rock and was hired as a full time 4th grade learning support teacher at Moon Area School District, where I am currently teaching.

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
Slippery Rock's education program did an amazing job preparing me for my interviews. I have never been so appreciative of my education as I was when I interviewed. In addition to my knowledge from my education, I researched specific things about the school district that I talked about in my interview. I also made sure to use plenty of examples from field and student teaching to back up my answers to interview questions.

What have you done well at that job?
This is my first professional teaching job and it can be pretty challenging at times. However, I know that I am making a difference in my students' lives every day. This is something that I feel every teacher does well. I am always working to find the right way to teach a concept so that my students not only enjoy what they learn, but they completely understand it as well.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
I have only been in the district since the beginning of this school year, so none yet. I would like to get involved in some after school programs in the future. As for awards and honors- maybe someday!

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
The Early Childhood and Special Education departments are amazing. I am so thankful for the many field experiences I had in all different grades. The most influential semester was my special education Pro Sem. So much of what I learned during that time is knowledge that I use every day at school. I really appreciate the awesome professors I had!

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
Use your time at Slippery Rock wisely! You get to work with professionals every day, so ask them questions and get into conversations with them about teaching. They have so much wisdom to share. Also, put yourself out there when you get into a field classroom! It can be very intimidating, but field experiences provide a different type of learning experience that you can never get from reading a text book.

Mary Leach

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?

I graduated in May 2014 with a major in Secondary Education English.

What jobs have you landed?

I was hired as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher for Strongsville City Schools in August 2014.

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?

I used my experiences from student teaching at Grove City Middle School to prepare for the interview process. The mentorship I received through that educational opportunity enabled me to create an established and distinct interview portfolio. In addition to instructional data samples and lesson plans used during my student teaching, I included letters of recommendations from SRU faculty and staff in my portfolio. Many of the professors I had during my time as a student continued to provide support and guidance after graduation, which made a significant impact. Also, since I live in Cleveland and I knew I would be searching for jobs in Ohio and Pennsylvania, I took the Ohio certification exams to be licensed in both states when I graduated. With the new testing center in McKay, it was very convenient to take the exams and expand my options to gain employment in either location.

What have you done well at that job?

During my time as a teacher, I believe I have been able to connect with students, staff, and the community to the best of my ability. Every day, I strive to provide my students with innovative and relevant educational opportunities, such as literature circles, multigenre text studies, and hands-on approaches to writing workshops. I take great pride in my job and I hope to continue along a path of success. However, I would not have been able to thrive in my career had it not been for the exceptional training I received at SRU and throughout my student teaching placement.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?

During my time as SRU, I was involved with Rock Readers, SRU Residence Life, and The Rocket. Additionally, I was a recipient of scholarships through the College of Education. At the end of my time as a student, I graduated Magna Cum Laude. As a teacher, I put my copy editing skills to good use as I currently co-advise the school newspaper!

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?

The most meaningful experiences I had at SRU took place within my Secondary Education/Foundations of Education cohort. I was able to develop bonds with my classmates and professors, which allowed me to face challenges with the support of a group. Most memorably, Dr. Tim Oldakowski provided me with countless opportunities to grow as a pre-service teacher, which helped to form my identity as an educator and influenced how I interact with my own classes. He shaped my view of differentiation, cooperative learning, and digital literacy, as well as what it means to make a difference in the lives of students.

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?

My advice to current students would be to define success on their own terms. Work for the accomplishments in life that will matter to you. During my time at Slippery Rock, I surrounded myself with friends and mentors who inspired me to improve and supported me to work towards my goals. It is important to maintain a sense of ownership over your education, your aspirations, and your future.

Rachel Baker

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
I graduated in May 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in both Special & Elementary Education.

What jobs have you landed?
I have been a long-term substitute since I graduated at Valley Grove School District just north of SRU in Franklin. I just landed my first job teaching Learning Support at Rocky Grove Middle/High School.

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
I think what really helped me was the fact I have Special Education,it broadens your opportunities and knowledge of students. I took a couple extra Praxis tests to become Highly Qualified which really helped during my interview process as well. I did a lot of research online and also on the SRU website to help build my resume. Because I was a substitute in the district, I knew a lot about what they were looking for before the interview. I would highly suggest any teachers to really branch out and substitute in all surrounding districts to get your foot in the door. I also researched a lot of the Special Education dates and timelines.

What have you done well at that job?
I have been able to relate well to my students and create a fun learning environment because of my elementary experience as well. I have incorporated math centers for my 7th grade students and they absolutely love them! They ask me every day if we can do centers. For any other Special Education teachers, I also suggest creating a IEP "snap shot" sheet not only for your own records, but also the other general education teachers! It's a simple and easy way to keep track of each student and make sure their goals are being reached.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
While at SRU I participated with Exceptional Adventures. It was a great learning experience and ultimately was the reason I decided to stay in the Special Education field. I suggest attending an activity through that program if you are even slightly interested in Special Education.

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
Cinda Findlan was my advisor during student teaching. She helped me reach my goals and was always there to answer any questions. Since graduating I have contacted her a few times about different job leads and she has been so helpful with giving advice! She actually used to teach at the same school district I am now working in so I am happy to be following in her footsteps!

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
I have learned so much over the past two years of substituting. My advice would be to not get discouraged if you do not land a job right after graduating! I personally know what it's like to hear people say, "you will never get a job in Pennsylvania." I never gave up and if anything, the negative comments only made me work harder to reach my goal! Patience is key in teaching, just take a few deep breaths and keep smiling!