Amanda Scholar

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held?

I attended Slippery Rock University for my Bachelor’s Degree and graduated in May of 2017. I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. After graduation, I was a long-term substitute within the Butler Area School District for the 2017-2018 school year. I started the year in a 7^th-9^th grade Autistic Support classroom, and I finished out the second half of that school year as a long-term substitute within a 9^th-12^th grade Emotional Support room. I am currently a 9^th grade Emotional Support teacher at Butler Intermediate High School in Butler, Pennsylvania! This is my second year of teaching and I am so excited to be teaching in my own classroom!

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is when students are willing to open up about themselves, and share their little victories with me. During my day, I am often working with students to improve their grades or helping them to complete their work. When they come in to share that they scored well on a test, or that their grade in a class is getting better, it is truly the best feeling! It makes me feel like all of my hard work is paying off, and I am excited that the students would want to take time out of their day to share that with ME! The joy and confidence that they gain from these little victories is so motivating. I love my job and am so excited to wake up in the morning and spend each day with my students!

 

3. What advice would you give to current students who are enrolled in the teacher preparation program, and to SRU students generally?

Pay attention and ask questions!! I know those 8:00 am classes are hard, but they are so important to your development as a teacher or for any career! No assignment is pointless, take your time and put your best effort into everything you do, you will thank yourself later!

4. Name an SRU experience or faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.

I do not think that I can pick just one experience or faculty member that influenced me positively. Each staff member has helped me become the teacher that I am today, and made my time at Slippery Rock such a positive experience! Simply put, they are AMAZING!

5. What makes a great teacher?

To me, a great teacher is someone who can build, and maintain, positive and motivational relationships with their students. If a student has a good relationship with a teacher, they are more likely to respect them and complete work. Students need someone who they can depend on to always encourage them and hear them out. A great teacher’s classroom is warm, welcoming, and a safe place for students. They are someone who is fun but strict, flexible but sticks to routine, and always positive! Great teachers make learning fun!

Nicole Nuske

 

 

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held?

I studied both at Penn State and Slippery Rock University throughout my time in college and graduated this past May of 2018. My degree is in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. This is my first year teaching! I am teaching at Lancaster Middle School in Kilmarnock, Virginia! I teach thirty-two wonderful students in the 5th grade. (Science & Reading)
 
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Honestly, it is in the little moments. The little moments like when a student overcomes a difficult concept, the BEAMING smile on their face when the bulb finally goes off. When they tell you that you make learning fun. When they share little personal things about themselves, or ask you to come to their games/concerts. Teaching is full of moments where you almost can't believe you get paid to do what you love because you're busy having fun, too!

3. What advice would you give to current students who are enrolled in the teacher preparation program, and to SRU students generally?

To the students who are Pre-Student Teaching: Put forth your best effort at all times and do not slack off. College is hard. It is stressful. Trust me, I know! But I PROMISE, the hard work will pay off for you. Sometimes graduation seems so far away, but in the blink of an eye you will be where I am! Stay focused on the end goal. Stay focused on why you decided to become a teacher. This is where you build your GPA and perfect your work ethic and study habits. Study hard and take those CORE and PECT exams as early as possible. Watch your social media; be cautious of how you are projecting yourself. Remember, your courses are preparing you for the "real deal" so learn as much as you can.

Student Teachers: You need to distinguish yourself. My co-operating teacher told me on day 1: "This is like your very first interview, and it really matters for your future." Not once did I ever leave school before 6 or 7 p.m. Go above and beyond. Try new ideas and lessons, be creative and fun. Sign up to work school events. Don't be afraid to ask your co-op for guidance or advice. They are there to coach you. Most importantly, get to know your students and their families. You can't teach them until you reach them. Show those kids you care. Show them learning can be exciting. Show them and be a light!

4. Name an SRU experience or faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.

The professors at SRU in the College of Ed. are nothing short of incredible. The professor who truly made an impact on me was Dr. Michelle McCollin. That woman was born to teach. My freshman year, when she taught me, she had me on fire for teaching! She made sure to always remind us to see the ABILITY in each child, and to look past their disability. She reminded us that when speaking with parents to be delicate with your words. "These are their babies. Their pride and joy."  She radiated positivity, passion, and heart which are three things that every teacher should have. Simply put, she was an amazing human being. I am thankful to have been taught by her.

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher takes the time to know their students. I can't stress that enough. You HAVE to form those relationships from day one. It is true what they say. Students might not remember everything you taught them, but they will remember you and how you treated them. How you made them feel. Think about your own education. Do you remember how your favorite teacher made you feel? Do you remember how your not-so-favorite teacher made you feel? Of course you do. You cannot be a successful teacher unless you teach with your heart. Show them you care, then the possibilities are endless.

Rachel Hunziker

 

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held?

            I graduated from Slippery Rock in 2017 with my Bachelors in Education. I’m certified in Elementary Education pk-4, and Special Education K-8. Currently I’m in my second year teaching the Intellectual Disabilities classroom at Floyd T. Binns Middle School in Culpeper, Virginia.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

            The most rewarding thing is the moments of growth and success I get to experience with my students. There is no better feeling than when a student that struggles finally meets a goal they have been working on for such a long time. We invest so much into our students to build relationships and help them succeed, and knowing you helped them reach their goals is incredible. Seeing the excitement on the face of a student that feels accomplished just makes every struggle worth it.

3. What advice would you give to current students who are enrolled in the teacher preparation program, and to SRU students generally?

                Every experience you have, whether at the time you think is good or bad, is an opportunity to learn. As educators we never stop learning even as we start teaching. Our job is hard and sometimes it can get the best of us, but every experience will make you better at what you do. Build solid relationships with your Co-ops, save the things you use for student teaching, and keep in touch with your professors. You will so glad you did when you are able to adapt an old lesson for your new class, or can call an old mentor for advice and suggestions. And above all, know that you are so prepared for what you are learning to do. I know at times I felt like I was going to have no clue what I was doing and wondered if I would retain any of what I learned. But your education has prepared you for whatever will come your way in your career.  Slippery Rock has prepared you with the tools you need to succeed.

4. Name an SRU experience or faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.

                I genuinely hope everyone has a teacher like Dr. Bieniek. Coming into his class reassured me of every worry that I had with my career. He was so passionate about Special Education and the students that most people wouldn’t have a clue what to do with. Aside from teaching us amazing things in the classroom, he was an incredible mentor. Dr. B was willing to meet outside of class and even would answer phone calls when he couldn’t meet in person. He was always there as a voice of encouragement, full of support, and reassurance that I was capable of the job I accepted. He was one of the first people I went to when I got my first job offer, and I truly believe I would not be the teacher I am today had it not been for his class.

5. What makes a great teacher?

                I’d say to truly be a great teacher, above all you have to have a passion for teaching and have patience for your students. Teaching is exhausting, some lessons flop, and sometimes you go home feeling defeated. Without passion, we fall into the hole of burning out and giving up. But when you have that drive to succeed yourself and see your students succeed, you get through those hard moments. Patience is especially important, because if there is one thing I promise you’ll need, it is patience, because your students will test it. Sometimes you’ll have students that need extra attention for behaviors, or academics, or will just need to know they have an adult who cares. Patience goes a long way, especially in education.