Jasmine Sable

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
I graduated from SRU in August of 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, as well as the National Certification (minor) in Nonprofit Leadership

What jobs have you landed?
With my Nonprofit degree I work for the Laurel Highlands Council; Boy Scouts of America at their premier Boy Scout/Cub Scout Resident Camp, Heritage Reservation. I also am currently a teacher in the Lincoln County Schools located in North Carolina. I am a Middle School Exceptional Children's Teacher and I teach both ELA and Math in the resource and inclusion settings. Before that I was a K-5 Elementary Exceptional Children's Teacher in the Gaston County Schools located just outside of Charlotte, NC.

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
I always prepare myself for a job interview by writing down key notes about myself that will set me apart from other candidates. I always like to point out that because I graduated from SRU, I have more "in the classroom" experiences than most graduates seeing that our experiences begin around Sophomore year. 

What have you done well at that job?
Slippery Rock has prepared me to not only excel in my positions, but to thrive as a new teacher. The Special Education Department's commitment to integrating the importance of differentiated instruction as well as the legal aspects of IEP's has put me well ahead of other first and second year teachers. 

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
Last year I had the pleasure of assisting with the 4th grade Drama Club within my Elementary School. 

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
Alice Del Vecchio is hands down the best professor that SRU has on campus. She is in charge of the Student Nonprofit Alliance as well as the courses that are incorporated into the Nonprofit Degree. Alice was more than just a professor in my time at SRU; she was a mentor, a friend, and a mother figure when any of us needed a "gentle" reminder to stop slacking off. Alice opened many doors to new experiences in my life. She helped me visit central Europe where I gained not only Nonprofit work experience, but long lasting life lessons and experiences that I often bring up in job interviews. She also helped me secure my spot in the Preparing Global Leaders Institute in Skopje, Macedonia my Senior year in college. I was able to travel to Macedonia to participate in a 65+ cohort from over 52 countries. I gained knowledge and experiences from the two week course that I can't imagine getting from anywhere else. I still use strategies and information that I learned in PGLI daily in my classroom. (It also doesn't hurt to boast about in future job interviews!) Alice still keeps in touch with all of her graduated students- she continues to make sure that we all have the needed skills to be an effective and contributing member of society. 

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
If I had a chance to talk to myself as an incoming Freshman to SRU I would want to scream with neon lights to, "GET OUT THERE AND TRY!" I can't tell you how many times I didn't join a club, go on a trip, volunteer for a few hours, all because I was too nervous to put myself out there. It took me at least two years to realize how friendly and outgoing the faculty and staff\ are at SRU and that I was certainly in good hands. Once I began volunteering for things like Exceptional Adventures and became President of the Student Nonprofit Alliance- I gained skills, experiences, and lifelong friends that still affect my life today.