What has your career path been like?
I began my career fresh out of SRU teaching first grade in York City, Pennsylvania. This is where my love for positive incentives and behavior management grew. I was part of SWEBS (School Wide Effective Behavior System) team in York. I learned that the most powerful way to reach a child is to accentuate the positive. I taught and grew there for 4 years while working on my early childhood literacy masters before moving back to Pittsburgh. I then taught at Shaler Area teaching third grade. During this time, I also worked nights at Wexford academy as a reading specialist, and earned my ESL certification. Although I loved my third graders and their independence, I knew that teaching students the fundamentals of reading was my passion. In August of 2011, we decided to take a leap and move to Richmond, Virginia. I was so fortunate to land a job on such short notice. I was ecstatic to teach at Highland Springs Elementary school where I would be able to teach first grade to underprivileged children AND lead their PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) team. I have been so blessed to be able to work with an incredible staff and county members that are willing to consistently go the extra mile, and many extra hours, for our students. I am so fortunate to be one of the lucky ones to say that I have my dream job.
I began my career fresh out of SRU teaching first grade in York City, Pennsylvania. This is where my love for positive incentives and behavior management grew. I was part of SWEBS (School Wide Effective Behavior System) team in York. I learned that the most powerful way to reach a child is to accentuate the positive. I taught and grew there for 4 years while working on my early childhood literacy masters before moving back to Pittsburgh. I then taught at Shaler Area teaching third grade. During this time, I also worked nights at Wexford academy as a reading specialist, and earned my ESL certification. Although I loved my third graders and their independence, I knew that teaching students the fundamentals of reading was my passion. In August of 2011, we decided to take a leap and move to Richmond, Virginia. I was so fortunate to land a job on such short notice. I was ecstatic to teach at Highland Springs Elementary school where I would be able to teach first grade to underprivileged children AND lead their PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) team. I have been so blessed to be able to work with an incredible staff and county members that are willing to consistently go the extra mile, and many extra hours, for our students. I am so fortunate to be one of the lucky ones to say that I have my dream job.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
As cliché as it sounds, the most rewarding part of my job is seeing my students’ growth. First grade is a magical year where they come to me as dependent kindergarteners and leave me as independent second graders. Reading just clicks. I get to see that excitement on each of their faces during the moment when they realize that they can read! It sounds silly, but one of the most rewarding parts of my job is when a child asks for a bookmark. This tells me that not only are they reading longer, more difficult books, but they WANT to continue reading the book later. This is the biggest reward a teacher can receive.
As cliché as it sounds, the most rewarding part of my job is seeing my students’ growth. First grade is a magical year where they come to me as dependent kindergarteners and leave me as independent second graders. Reading just clicks. I get to see that excitement on each of their faces during the moment when they realize that they can read! It sounds silly, but one of the most rewarding parts of my job is when a child asks for a bookmark. This tells me that not only are they reading longer, more difficult books, but they WANT to continue reading the book later. This is the biggest reward a teacher can receive.
What types of recognition, awards, honors or activities have you been involved in?
My loved ones constantly tell me that I need to learn to say no. I have the most difficult time NOT joining a committee, going to a professional development during the summer, or staying afterschool to meet with people. It’s hard to say no because the children deserve it! I have been or am involved in PBIS, SWEBS, Social Committee, gardening committee, PTA, Parental Involvement, Spring Carnival, May Day, Special Olympics, Tutoring, Coalition, VISTA Science, PBL Edcamp, Community Committee, Celebration Committee, Pep Rallies, VCU Clinical Faculty, and out of school Fundraisers. And of course, Teacher of the Year for HSES 2016.
How did your experience at Slippery Rock University help you find your first position after graduation?
I believe that everything happens for a reason. After a student teaching experience gone wrong, I was pulled from my original placement and was told the only placement that was available on such short notice was in Pittsburgh Public. I was terrified. However, this was the best thing that could have happened to me. With the support of my supervisor and amazing cooperating teacher, I fell in love with inner city teaching. I never would have accepted my first teaching experience in York City if I hadn’t had experience in Pittsburgh Public. I am so thankful for my Pittsburgh Public placement that I thought I didn’t want.
I believe that everything happens for a reason. After a student teaching experience gone wrong, I was pulled from my original placement and was told the only placement that was available on such short notice was in Pittsburgh Public. I was terrified. However, this was the best thing that could have happened to me. With the support of my supervisor and amazing cooperating teacher, I fell in love with inner city teaching. I never would have accepted my first teaching experience in York City if I hadn’t had experience in Pittsburgh Public. I am so thankful for my Pittsburgh Public placement that I thought I didn’t want.
What is your advice for future graduates?
Teaching is so much more than what you do when the door is closed. Get to know your students. Go to their football games and watch them cheer. Get to know the students in the class next to you. Don’t settle for doing what is expected. Teaching is not the profession to do the minimum. Your students deserve the world; it is your job to lead them there.
Teaching is so much more than what you do when the door is closed. Get to know your students. Go to their football games and watch them cheer. Get to know the students in the class next to you. Don’t settle for doing what is expected. Teaching is not the profession to do the minimum. Your students deserve the world; it is your job to lead them there.
