Amy Walter

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

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education degree with a minor in Film and Media Studies in 2006. I then went straight into my graduate program, while working as a Long Term Substitute for two consecutive years at Karns City, New Castle, and Seneca Valley school districts. I graduated with my Masters in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialist focus in 2010. I was offered a position at Grove City Middle School to teach 8th grade reading a few weeks before I graduated. Nine years later I am still employed at Grove City Middle School where I still teach 8th grade.

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

The most rewarding aspect of my job is to see students fall in love with reading all over again. That is why I do what I do. I love sharing my love of books to my kiddos to help them understand how magical a world can be when you live it as a life-long reader. Eighth grade is a difficult age, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

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

The best advice I would give to SRU students is to get involved. I truly believe that the co-curricular knowledge I gained during both my undergrad and graduate time set me apart from the competition. I also recommend picking up a minor. My minor in Film and Media Studies has been extremely beneficial to me throughout my career because it allows me to see things through multiple perspectives. Also, take advantage of traveling with the university. I attended professional conferences with faculty, most notable was my first- the Sigma Tau Delta conference where I presented my first academic paper. Following this experience, I then presented at the National Council Teachers of English conference with two notable authors. As a reading teacher, this experience definitely set me apart, and it helped me mold my career in the direction I wanted to take it when I first began in this profession.

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

The first decade of the 21st Century truly was a great time to be at Slippery Rock. There are so many professors during both my undergraduate and graduate programs that I owe my career to.  
I wouldn't be the teacher I am today if it wasn't for Dr. Kathleen Strickland and Dr. James Strickland. They introduced me to the NCTE organization where I met my first mentor in the field, Mr. Bob Dandoy, who later became at adjunct at SRU. In the English department, both Dr. Rachela Permenter and Dr. William Covey were two professors who I felt really challenged me in both film and literary criticism. Their teaching helped me to lay my own educational foundation.

During graduate school I was honored to serve one year as the GA for Dr. Marilyn Yensick, who helped me rekindle my passion for education, after I was frustrated that my long term substitute positions hadn't turned into anything permanent at the time. I credit both Dr. Suzanne Rose and Dr. Debbie Wells from turning me from an English teacher into a Reading Specialist, a professional identity I hold in high regard.

And finally, Dr. William Boggs helped me to find my voice as a poet. Taking his class for professional development credit on a whim, I am now a published poet (who knew I had that in me?). Dr. Boggs knew, and I thank him for the continued guidance and support years ago.

Abby Heidt

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

I recently graduated from Slippery Rock in May of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education (PreK-4.) Currently, I am the Director of Child Care at the YMCA of Greater Erie branch site at Klein Elementary School. I plan on pursuing a Master's Degree in Higher Education/Student Affairs. I worked for the YMCA as a summer camp counselor for four years before becoming the Director at Klein. I am also the lead teacher at the site; with this, I plan and lead lessons before and after school. I have students ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. During the day, I work on making sure our STARS certification is up to date.

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

The most rewarding part of my job is being able to create a safe and fun environment, promoting individual growth development while watching the students thrive. I love watching the children get to be themselves while being creative and playing different games.

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 enrolled in the education program at Slippery Rock, my advice would be to not let other people bring you down. We live in a world where some people think that education majors only choose it because of the summers off. Being told that our major isn't "good enough" is always hard but keep your head up because you know in your heart that it is! You are going to change some child's life for the better! For students of the university, get involved! I met the best people and had the best experiences because I was involved. Don't wait to the last minute to do so. There is a club or organization for everyone. Slippery Rock is an amazing college so be proud to be a student there! Time flies so make the most out of it. You're most likely going to miss it.

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

During my four years at Slippery Rock, I had three different faculty members make a big impact on my experience. Dr. Walsh and Dr. Lynch made my time in the education department special. I always felt that they really got to know their students. They were always making class a little bit more interesting. Both professors made me feel like I could always accomplish anything. They were always helpful. Also, Lauren Moran, the director of the Office for Student Engagement and Leadership, made a huge impact on me. Lauren pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and showed me how much I love being a part of Student Affairs. Without her, I don't think I could speak to a group of college students or adults today without freaking out during it. Lauren helped me grow as an adult and do things that I was terrified to do only a year prior.

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is someone who is willing to care for anyone, no matter who the person is. There is always at least one student that can be frustrating but a great teacher looks past that and cares for all of his or her students. Great teachers go above and beyond for their students. I always think of a teacher that is always trying to work with a student. They try different ways of explaining things if a student doesn't understand, they always try to be warm and welcoming, always saying hello, and can get the attention of the room. A great teacher is someone who can be a role model and someone that any child can look up to.

Kaitlyn Harris

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

I graduated in May 2018 with a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education & Special Education. I am a special education teacher in Culpeper County Public Schools in Culpeper, Virginia. I teach students who have behavioral issues and are emotionally disturbed. The students range from K-5. Throughout the day I help the students with their social skills, behaviors, and academic content.

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

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing my students growing and replacing their behaviors. My students have a difficult time sitting in the general education classrooms. This year I have been working very hard with them on using their coping and self-calming skills to replace those behaviors. I love to see them take their social skills, positive reinforcement, and other taught lessons and applying them to their everyday interactions.

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

For the students who are in the teacher preparation program: Make sure you focus and really listen to what your professors are telling you. It may surprise you to know, but everything they are teaching you will come up at some point in your career. Getting through this time can be very stressful and sometimes overwhelming. Be sure to stay ahead on your course work! Never put anything off because then you will become more stressed than you need to be.

For students who are student teaching: Enjoy your time in your placements! These kids will teach you way more than you would think. Put yourself out there and be willing to do things that will set you above and beyond other student teachers. Do your very best every-day and remember that you are ready for this!

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

The special education professors at Slippery Rock University were some of the most inspiring people I have ever met. They encouraged me to become a strong advocate for those who cannot be one for themselves, become passionate about the special education field, and dedicated in making an impact on each student’s life. Thanks to all of my professors, I can say confidently that I felt very prepared going out into the career world and cannot wait to see what else is in store for me.

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher puts in the extra work and effort to be sure that all of their students are learning to the best of their ability and growing into amazing and passionate students. Your connection and relationship with each student will be the deciding factor on how your time will go. You never know what a child is going through outside of school. Be that person that can put a smile on their face or that they can come talk to. You play such an important role in each student’s life. You will do great things if you just take the time and go the extra mile.