Where are you teaching? What subjects and grades?
I am currently teaching 6th grade Mathematics at Boyce Middle School within the Upper St. Clair School District just south of Pittsburgh. This is the same district where I did my student teaching.
What awards or recognitions have you received?
Awards that I'm proud of: Upon finishing my Master's at SRU in May, I had the honor of receiving the Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the Secondary Education Department and being a marshal for the Graduate Studies Commencement ceremony.
What advice would you give to current students who are enrolled in the teacher preparation program?
My advice to students in the College of Education is to work hard and try your very best as a student at SRU and as a teacher in the classroom. It sounds cliché, but the hard work and stress will definitely pay off. Another piece of advice would be to utilize your professors. They've seen both sides to the education field and can offer great guidance and advice. They're there to help you and want to see you succeed. All of the professors in the Secondary Education department, especially Dr. Christmann and Dr. Hicks, and the secretary, Germaine, were so helpful during my five years at Slippery Rock, and I could never thank them enough for that. Also, don't forget to enjoy teaching; it is stressful and a lot of hard work, but it is definitely worth it. You can get so caught up in the busy schedule sometimes that you forget how great of a job it is.
What is one positive experience that you have had with a student?
In my two short years of being in the classroom, there have been many positive experiences. One that stands out in particular comes from my student teaching experience. On my last day, I had a student write a letter and read it to me. This student wrote that she used to hate math because she didn't understand it. During my 16 weeks of being in her classroom, I managed to not only help her understand math better, but inspire her to want to be a teacher and help children -- just like I did for her. Sometimes it's easy to forget how much of an impact you are making on your students, but it's such a rewarding feeling when it finally hits you.
What makes a great teacher?
A great teacher is much more than someone who is good at teaching their subject. Many people can teach math, social studies, English, etc., but it takes a certain type of person to be a great teacher. A great teacher is also a counselor, a mentor, a role-model, and an energizer bunny. They go above and beyond and work countless hours to make sure their students are receiving the best education possible. As tired and worn out as they are, there is not a more rewarding profession than education. Sometimes it gets tough, but it is worth it in the end.
