Deanna Rae

What year did you graduate from SRU and what was your major?
May 2014 - early childhood education

What jobs have you landed?
I am a third grade math and science teacher at Clarksville Elementary in Mecklenburg county schools VA

How did you prepare for the interview for the job you landed?
I practiced interview questions. I attended the job fairs and that in where I learned a lot about Virginia Schools.

What have you done well at that job?
I have built wonderful relationships with my students that still hold true even with they move to fourth grade. I make learning fun and the kids remember me that way.

What types of recognition, awards, honors or even activities have you been involved in?
Recently I was chosen by the Virginia Department of Education to speak at the VCTM (Virginia council of teaching mathematics) conference to present my teaching strategies. Schools from across the state have been emailing me for some tips and tricks I use in my classroom.

What SRU experience or faculty influenced you and in what way?
I was a community assistant in the dorms and it really helped me to mature and take responsibility for people. Dr. McCollin was a big inspiration to me as well as Dr. Lee Williams. They treated me as another teacher and not as a student, but also showed me so much more to teaching than the lesson plans and paperwork.

What else can you tell us about your success story that SRU students could learn from?
Don't be afraid to take a risk. Everything works for a reason. No matter what career you choose, make sure every day you are excited to go to your job. I was hired in Virginia one week before my wedding day and started the day after my honeymoon. I never imagined I would live this far way. I just recently bought a house and I love every second I spend at my job.

Shannon McAnney

Within a month of graduation, I was offered a job as an instructional aid in a classroom at the Watson institute educational center. During my time there I was accepted into the early intervention masters program with a focus on autism at the University of Pittsburgh and received a scholarship, which eventually led to me quitting that job following the completion of the academic year to become a full time graduate student. The most rewarding part of my job at Watson was being there to help my students on their hardest days and not giving up on them. My experiences at Slippery Rock helped me both with my job and getting into graduate school a lot. If it weren't for the fantastic special education department at SRU I wouldn't have felt nearly as prepared to answer interview questions and able handle situations in the classroom that were brand new to me. My advice for future graduates would be to apply for jobs like crazy and go to any and all job interviews for positions that interest you. Remember what made you passionate about becoming a teacher and take that with you wherever you go. If you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life.

Rosaline Shrout

What has your career path been like?

After graduating from SR in 1969 w/ a B.S. degree in Health/PE/Recreation, I was awarded a Graduate Assistantship at the Univ. of Pittsburgh. I taught swimming classes during the day and attended graduate classes at night, earning an M. Ed. In P.E. I also worked w/ the coach of the synchronized swim team. While there, an opportunity to study abroad arose, being awarded a Graduate Fellowship through Rotary Foundation for one-year of study abroad. I studied at the Univ. of Jyvaskyla in Jyvaskyla, Finland! During the school year, I taught synchronized swimming at the Uimahalli at the university and accompanied Finnish students to Arnhem, Holland on a two-week trip where I conducted a seminar on synchronized swimming to introduce the sport into their P.E. program.

My career path has taken many directions due to living in several states following my husband’s career advancements w/ the finance company for whom he worked. My first job was teaching Health/PE at Lancaster HS in Lancaster, NY. (Ironically, I re-visited some of those same teachers this past summer after 40+ years!) In addition to my regular classes (inc. teaching archery and repairing the equipment), I coached the cheerleaders, where in my last year there, the squad won a national contest earning them new uniforms, equipment, etc. I also had the opportunity to introduce Rhythmic Gymnastics into the P.E. program there, as I experienced it while in Finland. After three years, my husband was transferred to Pittsburgh. I taught Health/PE at Quaker Valley H.S., in Sewickley, Pa., again coaching the cheerleaders. After only a short time there, my husband was transferred to Portland, Ore., where I again taught high school H/PE (5 yrs.) and began my coaching career w/ (artistic) gymnastics. After another transfer, this time to Ohio, I substitute taught for 10 years while my two sons were experiencing their childhood years, with all their sports activities. I continued, however, to coach gymnastics at Washington H.S., in Massillon, Ohio during that time. In my last year there, the team finished with a 12-0 record and qualified as a team for the District meet…a difficult task when a true h.s. team is competing w/ other schools who include club gymnasts. When my husband was transferred for the final time to Pittsburgh, Pa., I continued to substitute teach for an additional 10 yrs., following my athletic sons in their h.s. football/wrestling/baseball careers at Franklin Regional H.S. During this time, I started the volleyball program there where 50 girls tried out for the first team! I finished my teaching career at Plum High school where I taught full-time for 14 years, retiring in 2013, after 42 years in education. While there, I sponsored the GLA (Girls’ Leaders Association), a service-oriented club, overseeing some 50 projects/yr. the 100-member organization was involved in. Some of the projects included: 4 blood drives/yr., annual breast cancer walk, historic cemetery maintenance, assisted living facility activities, Sr. citizen center activities, supplies for soldiers, families in need, and many others. In 2012, GLA was nominated for the Jefferson Award for outstanding service by a group of volunteers.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I have taught students to swim for 45 years, some during the ‘learn to swim’ program for the youth in the community during the summers. Otherwise, it has been teaching high school students during the school year. It does my heart good to hear when a former student of mine tells me: “I am so glad you taught me to swim; I no longer am afraid of the water.” One student revealed: “I even taught my Mom to swim.” In addition, instilling in students the need for healthy eating habits and daily exercise has always been foremost in my mind. So, when I see former students at the gym, on the bike trail, or swimming laps at the local YMCA, it puts a smile on my face! Maybe, just perhaps, I may have had an influence on their lives!

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

Formerly mentioned: Graduate Assistantship at the Univ. of Pittsburgh for Graduate work; also,
Graduate Fellowship through Rotary Foundation for one-year of study abroad. This gave me not only experience, but allowed me to become even more ‘outgoing’ and receptive to learning about other cultures, activities, and way of life.

Intramural activities: I helped organize and run after-school activities. Many students enjoy a variety of sports, but do not have the skill or commitment to join an athletic team. This gives them an opportunity for friendship and fun and to engage in a sport they enjoy w/o a high level of skill.

Also, the nomination of the GLA club I was involved with for the Jefferson Award for outstanding service by a group of volunteers gives me great pride in being involved with such an organization...that is over 50 years old!!

How did your experience at Slippery Rock University help you find your first position after graduation?

I felt I was very prepared and had a wealth of background experiences…a real plus when searching for
a teaching position. I also had experience teaching already, as I did while working on my Master’s at the Univ. of Pittsburgh. I felt that gave me an ‘edge’ over other competition.
The P.E. Program at Slippery Rock also taught me to be organized and well-prepared. (For many years, I used the ‘workbooks’ required in ‘P.E. Activities’ class for every sport we studied). It also provided me with an arsenal of background activities that helped many times when I needed to have a ‘short activity’ or ‘revised schedule’ to plan for when there was a need for the class time or structure to be altered on the spur of the moment.

What is your advice for future graduates?

Take EVERY opportunity that passes your way! Take additional classes that you enjoy or would like to teach. You never know when you may be able to use them! Do it while you are young and have no commitments…later on, you may not have the drive or the desire to engage in opportunities you have while you are in college. Also, always do your best…and work hard at all you do; you will not be sorry! Good grades enhances your Job opportunities and prepares you better for the future!

One other word of advice: Volunteer! Help others in any way you can. Maybe you can help coach a
youth sports team; sing in your church choir, help out w/ a youth group or at the local food bank or at the senior center. It is very rewarding!!

Roberta Ayers Wykoff

My career path has been one of unexpected opportunity and reward. Beginning my education with a dual degree in elementary and special ed., I taught primary special education at a time when laws were changing and these children were having unprecedented opportunities to learn. A very exciting time indeed! 

After receiving a Master’s degree (also at SRU) Ihad the privilege of moving into more administrative roles, and for the next three plus decades I served respectively as Head of School and then Lower School Division Head at several exceptional private and independent schools in Ohio, Virginia, and Kentucky. While in Ohio I was able to take advantage of an opportunity to earn an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction at Kent State, and while serving in Virginia worked toward an additional Ed.S. in Educational Leadership.at George Washington University. My Kentucky experience also afforded the additional opportunity to teach an online Language Arts class as part of the Adult Professional Studies program at Asbury University. Now that I am semi-retired, I am continuing my passion in elementary education by providing consulting support as opportunities arise. My career has been long and very fulfilling, built on the extraordinary learning and opportunities originating at SRU.

The most rewarding part of my career has been in curriculum development and consulting, as well as in mentoring young teachers. I loved fostering a teachable spirit as my faculty learned how to best serve the children with whom they were entrusted. A number of my former teachers remain in contact, bringing me great joy and satisfaction.

I am most comfortable as a “behind the scenes” person but over the years have appreciated the opportunity to present at conferences and seminars, and participated as part of a visiting team during the re-accreditation processes at various schools. Additionally, an article was published chronicling the learning experience of one of our elementary students born addicted to crack cocaine. While in Kentucky I additionally oversaw an afterschool reading tutoring program for at-risk students from several local elementary schools.

My undergraduate experience played a big role in landing that first teaching position, but perhaps the most significant experience came when Dr. Burtch chose me to be his Graduate Assistant as I completed my M.Ed. in Reading. At the conclusion of that incredible time of learning and exposure to the skilled faculty in the Elementary Education program I was asked to come back to SRU as an Instructor. What initially was to be one semester of maternity leave coverage evolved into seven incredible semesters teaching Methods and Materials of Language Arts, Creativity in the Classroom, and Diagnostic and Remedial Reading. This opportunity undoubtedly opened the door for the administrative positions in which I was yet to serve. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Burtch and the faculty who taught, mentored, and believed in me during what turned out to be foundational as my administrative career evolved.

My advice for future graduates is to take advantage of all the resources available to at SRU and does not waste your time! Focus, make mature decisions concerning time management, and work hard. The Faculty is there to support you and they truly care about the teachers and leaders you are becoming. This time passes quickly so make the very most of it!

Roberta Page

What has your career path been like?

My career path has been rewarding every step of the way. I have been involved with student-athletes from the beginning of my career as a high school teacher/coach, collegiate Director of Athletics to now as the Director of Championships at the NCAA running national championships for student-athletes across the country.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I get to run the one area college student-athletes across the country aspire to reach and that is to play for a national championship.

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

SRU Hall of Fame
NCAA One Team One Future Player of the Week
First female high school athletic director at Gettysburg High School.

How did your experience at Slippery Rock University help you find your first position after graduation?

Slippery Rock University is synonymous with athletics. My course work was spot on with requirements needed to be a successful teacher/athletic administrator. Relationships that started at SRU have continued and provide a great resource for me in my current position.

What is your advice for future graduates?
Don’t take for granted the people you meet along the way (faculty, administrators, coaches and fellow classmates). You get one chance to make a first impression. You never know when your paths will meet again