Sam Placzek

What is your educational background from SRU and what positions have you held?
I graduated from Slippery Rock in the spring of 2016 with a dual degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. After graduation, I was a substitute teacher for the Butler School District until the end of their school year. In August 2016, I accepted a position as a Kindergarten teacher at Gary D. Wright Elementary School in Hampshire, Illinois, about 40 miles west of the city of Chicago. This is my second year teaching Kindergarten.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
As a Kindergarten teacher, I love getting to experience so many “firsts” with my students. Some have never been in school before, been on a field trip, etc. I find so much value when I am working with a student and they finally have that “ah-ha!” moment upon completing a task, or finally understanding a topic that they have been struggling with. I also put a great value into my classroom environment and rapport with my students. With this being said, I love being able to sit back, watch, and listen to what my students are telling each other and how they build each other up on a daily basis.

What advice would you give to current students who are enrolled in the teacher preparation program, and to SRU students generally?
My biggest piece of advice to current students enrolled in the teacher preparation program would be to not be afraid to talk with your professors. They are there to help you. At Slippery Rock, you are more than just a name on a roster. Your professors WANT you to do your best and want to see you succeed. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them, because there really is no such thing as a silly question! Some of my best memories were made with the awesome faculty at Slippery Rock!

Also, know that all of the work that you are putting in now WILL come in handy! The amount of times I have been able to say “Oh, in one of my classes, we did…” or “While I was student teaching, I did…” is unbelievable! The coursework truly helped shape who I am as a teacher.

Name an SRU experience or faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.
As cliché as it may sound, my four years at Slippery Rock were the best four years of my life and the faculty is a main reason for that. I feel I heavily benefitted from being a part of two different departments within the College of Education. While the faculty members of both the Early Childhood department, as well as the Special Education department are phenomenal, there are two professors in particular that will always stand out to me.

During my sophomore year, I took a class with Dr. Amodei and actually ended up asking her to be my advisor. She guided me through my next few years, and for that I am grateful. Dr. A is a professor that I am lucky enough to still be connected to and is someone who I know, no matter what, I am able to go to with questions and for guidance.

Within the Special Education department, Mrs. Badgett is the professor that sticks out the most to me. Even when I was no longer enrolled in her class, she was always reaching out to see how I was doing and what I was up to, both in and out of my fieldwork and student teaching. I was fortunate to go back and visit SRU after graduation and when I sat down with her, she wanted to know everything about my teacher career. It is professors like Mrs. Badgett and Dr. Amodei that truly shaped who I am as a teacher.

What makes a great teacher?
When it comes to a great teacher, everyone tends to focus on patience and a love for their students. While these are very important things, I would also add flexibility and constant learning. As a teacher, you may come across a lesson or a class where things just aren’t working the way you planned. You need to be able to realize this and be willing to change if necessary. Not all students learn the same way, so you can’t always teach things the same way. Being flexible and changing things based on your students means you are always learning. Just because you have graduated doesn’t mean you are done learning. A great teacher listens to those around them and is a lifelong learner.