What has been your experience as a professional teacher/educator/administrator?
I spent 5 years in the classroom teaching physics at both Seneca Valley School District and Hampton Township School District. I thoroughly enjoyed the classroom but had a great interest in moving into administration. My first administrative job was the assistant principal at Hopewell High School. After spending a year as an assistant principal, the opportunity to become the principal of Springdale Jr-Sr High School opened. After a thorough interview process, I accepted the role and was involved in a 20 plus million-dollar renovation and addition to the building. Three years later, the Kiski Area School District conducted a search for an upper elementary principal who would spend a year developing a STEM-focused program while being heavily involved in a 20 plus million-dollar renovation and addition as well as elementary school consolidation. I worked out of central office for a year while we developed program and built the structure. The next three years were spent as the principal of Kiski Area Upper Elementary when an opportunity to move into the assistant superintendent role with the Grove City Area School District presented itself.
Where do you work? What is your current position?
My current position is assistant superintendent with the Grove City Area School District.
What is one positive experience that you have had with a student, or a student story that you would like to share?
During my first teaching job, I had the opportunity to work with a young lady who had not experienced much success in school. She was hard working and committed to her academics but wasn’t sure what she wanted to do moving forward. That year during physics, I noted that she truly understood the concepts around the topics that we worked through, actively participated in our class discussions, and was gaining confidence in her studies. She was transforming as a student. Her parents were greatly appreciative of the work we were doing in class and very proud of their daughter’s growth and achievement.
At that point in her academic career, Erica was unsure of her future plans. Physics class was a turning point for her and she made the decision to study education in college and aspired to be a teacher. Her determination, dedication, and will provided Erica with great success as she is currently teaching in a special education classroom and close to completing her master’s degree. Erica and I still keep in touch sharing stories and advice as we both grow as educators in our respective roles. This was all possible through the belief that building appropriate relationships with one’s students is a key component to student success.
What advice would you give to current college students who are preparing to be teachers?
Work hard, commit to every experience you can that is related to the field of education, and embrace the challenges that come your way. Being an educator is such a fulfilling career when you take the time to build quality relationships with students, parents, and colleagues; all while raising the level of rigor and relevance in the classes that you teach.
What is one thing that you learned from Slippery Rock University’s teacher preparation program that you have integrated into your profession?
Nothing replaces hard work and preparation. The program at SRU requires diligence, attention to detail, and a great deal of effort. This combination of attributes was instilled in me throughout my time at the ROCK and I still utilize those skills today in my work.
What is one challenge that you have faced thus far and how have you successfully dealt with it during your professional/teaching experience? (Only successful experiences/outcomes)
During my time at Kiski Area, I was charged with the task of program development, consolidation, and building construction during my first year with the District. I had to build relationships with a group of potential grade 5 and 6 teachers while we worked collaboratively to design a STEM-focused program for students. It was a monumental challenge that I embraced.
For an entire year, committees of teachers updated curricular plans by integrating STEM into all facets of the planned program, developed extra-curricular opportunities, designed support systems through the lens of pupil services, and planned for the consolidation transition. The group of dedicated teachers were ready for change and appreciated the opportunity to work together. At the end of that planning year, we were ready to move in and open the doors of Kiski Area Upper Elementary to our students.
The first day of school came that year and buses pulled up for drop off. The day began and I will never forget how proud I was of the staff in that building. We collaboratively redesigned the way students learned in grades 5 and 6 and created opportunities that exceeded the imagination. This was all accomplished through a building culture and a phrase that we all lived by… “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”.
What are a few of your career goals?
At some point in my career, I would like to be the superintendent of a school district. I also miss the classroom a great deal and hope to teach at the college level in a teacher preparation or educational leadership program.
Why did you choose education as your profession?
In high school, I had an amazing physics teacher who truly inspired me to get into the field. After a short time in the classroom, I aspired to be involved in a school on a much larger scale. That aspiration quickly led to my participation in SRU’s principal preparation program. Learning more through coursework and job experiences allowed me to grow and develop in various roles.
What makes a great teacher?
A great teacher is someone who cares about students, spends the time to build relationships with students and parents, collaborates with peers in order to share, grow, and improve, and finally someone who works hard to meet the needs of each child each day. These individuals are rare, but they make such a huge difference in the lives of children in our schools today.
