Katie Katkich

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
I graduated with my undergrad in May of 2010 with a degree in Secondary English Education. I then later returned to pursue graduate studies and earned my diploma in December of 2014 with a degree in Special Education for grades 7-12.

What job(s) have you landed?
Since the completion of my undergrad, I have landed a number of teaching opportunities from ESL instruction, secondary English instruction, and instructional support. In June of this year, I was hired at the Western Beaver County School District as an English Teacher/Media Specialist. Currently, I am working with administrators and teachers in updating what was the junior-senior high school's library into a media center. Not only am I in the process of updating this space, but I also teach a section of library science, as well as work collaboratively with teachers across all content areas as they and their students use the media center's resources.

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
Since I have been working for the Western Beaver County School District in some capacity for a number of years (day-to-day substitute, permanent substitute, and instructional aide), I was able to cultivate a strong foundation of knowledge on the district that allowed me to have a leg up on the competition. Being knowledgeable of a district's clientele, it's philosophy, and it's successes and areas of growth is key in making a good and lasting impression. Being fluent in your own teaching philosophies and staying up to date on current practices despite holding a full-time teaching contract is greatly important as well. ELA Common Core shifts, IEP components, differentiated instruction strategies, and Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDTs) are all facets that I may have not yet been able to actively implement, but I made sure that I had the knowledge base to effectively and efficiently discuss each one. During my roles within the district prior to being offered a full-time teaching contract, I also treated every working day as an interview. Believing in such allowed for me to prove my worth to the district. It allowed for me to show to my employer that I could make a positive impact on both the students the district served, as well as create a positive rapport with the staff that I worked with.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
This past spring I was recognized by The Prevention Network and CLASS Academy as a Golden Apple Award Nominee. Myself, as well as other educators from school districts across Beaver County were recognized for their dedication to students, school spirit, positive influence on colleagues, and some trait that makes them unique. The award and nominations honored teachers who showed true dedication and leadership to their positions.
Within my district I am also actively involved in the show choir and musical productions. I will be entering into my third year working with a team of individuals in creating memories and making the school's musical a success for our students. Despite the long hours, I enjoy every single minute of it. Theater has always been a passion of mine, and sharing that same passion with my students is both fun and rewarding! Teaching them the added skills of teamwork, accountability, and the development of a positive work ethic are added bonuses. This year Western Beaver will be proudly presenting Disney's Beauty and the Beast!

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
There are many experiences and faculty members that influenced me in a positive way that allowed me to be career ready. I can remember my trip to Philadelphia for the National Council for Teachers of English Convention during my undergrad. Attending this conference allowed for me and my peers to sit right beside experts and professionals, which we were then able to create dialogue and connections with as we reflected on new ELA resources and practices. During my undergrad, Dr. John Hicks was a professor that treated us as teaching professionals and not simply as students of teaching. Many of the philosophies he shared still resonate with me and are evident within my classroom today. In completion of my graduate work, Dr. Jeremy Lynch made a strong influence on me as well. Although we never met in person due to the online nature of the Special Education program, I always felt I had a sense of support. His coursework was rigorous, but pushed me in ways that allowed for both personal and professional growth.

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
One caveat of knowledge I would like to share is that it is important to remember that we are all people. We are all individuals who are just looking for kindness and support. Remembering this can help you on those "bad days" in the classroom. I have learned that if you give your students the respect they yearn for the moment they step into your classroom, the much more cooperative they are with you. I have learned that if you look at your students as people and individuals rather than just students, they are much more likely to obtain goals and personal successes that they will carry through with them once they leave your classroom doors.