Denise Carlini

What has been your experience as a professional teacher?

I taught special education for 17 years at Brockway Area JSHS.  My students were grades 7 - 12 and identified as learning disabled and [intellectually disabled]. I taught several subjects each year including math, English, history and science. I was also the gifted coordinated for grades 7 - 12 during my teaching experience.

What is one positive experience that you have had with a student?

I have had so many wonderful experiences with my students. Having them for 6 years, I got to really know them and help them to prepare for their adult lives. One of my greatest success stories is that of a learning disabled young man who wanted to become an elementary teacher.  Many other adults told him that would be virtually impossible, but we worked hard during his time in high school and when he got accepted to Clarion University in their teacher preparation program, we were ecstatic. I encouraged him to use all the resources and help available to him at Clarion and he did. He earned his degree and is teaching in the Virginia School System. He was named the elementary teacher of the year at his school and in the newspaper interview, he cited me as one of the greatest influences in his life. THAT is why we teach!

What advice would you give to current college students who are preparing to be teachers? 

Teaching has changed so dramatically over the years. I would advise students preparing to become teachers to remember how each and every thing they do can influence their students. The curriculum is critical, but the demeanor and attitude of the teacher can be much more influential to students. One cruel word can stay with a student for a lifetime. Teachers have to be flexible and willing to show students they have their best interests as the overall objective. The best teachers are those who are willing to take on additional roles in their schools and learn to interact with students outside of the classroom as coaches and advisers in extra-curricular activities...State assessments have [also] changed the learning environment tremendously. Teachers need to be prepared to vary their teaching methods so that each student is successful in the classroom. A one-dimensional teacher will not be successful in today's classroom.

What is one thing that you learned from Slippery Rock University’s teacher preparation program that you brought into your classroom? 

The special education program at Slippery Rock has always been outstanding. I brought a thorough knowledge regarding teaching techniques to use with a variety of student abilities to my classroom. I also brought behavioral management techniques that were taught "hands-on" in the lab school. 

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I chose teaching as a profession for a couple of reasons. First, I have an [intellectually disabled] cousin who I am very close to. He means the world to me and I wanted to be able to work with people like him. I also had a wonderful education at Brockway, loving each and every year of school. My teachers were caring and smart and encouraged us to become what we wanted. I was very lucky to spend my entire teaching and administrative career in my hometown!

What makes a great teacher? 

A great teacher is someone who is willing to work hard to keep current in their field. They recognize that the world is ever-changing and there is a need to keep up with what their students are experiencing in life. A great teacher is open to critique through observation and is open to making changes in teaching techniques and styles to better themselves as educators. A great teacher is caring and understands that not all students come from loving and economically secure homes. A willingness to understand that not every student is going to be having a great day every day is key to being a great teacher. Great teachers wake up each day and look forward to the challenges and excitement of their classroom. When it becomes a chore to go to work, a teacher needs to find another profession.

Shelby Stearns

What has been your experience as a professional teacher thus far?

It’s been a wild ride! I am at Creekside Elementary in Durham, North Carolina. I’m loving it so far, though it’s very emotionally and physically taxing at times!

What subject(s) are you teaching? What grades? 

I am teaching 4th grade, all subjects!

What specific subject and grade level do you ultimately hope to teach?

That’s a good question. I am loving teaching 4th grade, but they’re very young which is often stressful. Like I said, I did my student teaching with 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, and I did find it easier in some ways to connect with older kids (though more challenging in ways as well). I do miss getting to delve into English because I really love teaching reading and writing, so I would possibly like to eventually teach English to an older grade. I’ve also considered getting AIG certified and/or work at a school with accelerated children. We’ll see! I had no idea I’d wind up here, so I have no idea where I’ll end up in the future!

How similar or different is your teaching experience from your student teaching experience?

Well, for student teaching I was at Slippery Rock Area Elementary and Slippery Rock Middle School teaching grades 5, 6, and 7 (My major was Middle Level English Education 4-8). First of all, my school is much more diverse than Slippery Rock, I have kids from many different backgrounds. And, I’m not just teaching English, but I’m teaching all content areas and have the same group of kids all day.  

What advice would you give to current college students who are preparing to be teachers? 

I’d say that it’s difficult in ways you can’t quite prepare for until you’re there. There are infinitely more plans and meetings and details than you could imagine. Time management is so so important. Oh, and invest in a blazer! Especially if you’ll be interviewing out of state, for Skype interviews you can wear a blazer and sweatpants! Your interviewer will be none the wiser. Another note, when you see job fairs and professional development opportunities, GO TO THEM. They might seem like a hassle but most of them are super helpful in the long run. And finally, utilize your professors! Form really good connections with them so you can use them as a reference and resource after you graduate! We have some amazing professors in the education department as well as in the different departments for content areas. They’ve gone through the process of becoming a teacher. Most of them are honestly awesome and so helpful.

What is one thing that you have learned from Slippery Rock University’s teacher preparation program that you have brought into your classroom? 

I was so fortunate to have had several classes with Dr. Hilton, whom I cannot say enough good things about. I’ve taken so much of his advice, especially in areas of classroom management and captivating student interest.

What is one challenge that you have faced thus far and how have you successfully dealt with it during your teaching experience?

I think one of the most challenging parts of my job is having 19 students I care for and keep safe from 7:45 until 2:15 every day, and then the buses come and I send them off to home lives that I know aren’t necessarily the very best. None of them will outright tell me the conditions, but I pick it up from comments when I tell them it’s time to go home. I’ve learned the best thing I can do is show them attention and love when they’re at school. I know which kids I need to go out of my way to hug at the end of the day. I know which kids I need to bring snacks for. So I think just realizing what you mean to them is how you can deal with something like that.

Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

I came to Slippery Rock as a business major and realized in the first few months that it wasn’t the best fit for my personality. So I looked at my life and tried to think of things I’d done that made me feel the most fulfilled, how I could use my strengths to make the biggest difference in the world. I thought about times I’d worked with kids, tutoring, after-school activities, service projects, elementary aide…and I realized that that was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I love being a teacher, mentor, and advocate for kids.  

What makes a great teacher? 

I honestly think that a great teacher is almost 100% about passion. If you think back to your own school days and even college classes, the teachers and professors you like the best and remember the most are the ones who genuinely loved what they did. For secondary, that means really loving your content. For elementary, that means really loving your group of kids and becoming personally invested in their growth. I think at the end of the day, you can lesson plan, you can decorate, you can create materials, but if you don’t love your kids, what is it all for? I think being a great teacher is all about personal investment in the education of your students.