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.