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!!