1.
What is your educational
background and what positions have you held?
I attended
Slippery Rock University starting in the Fall of 2014 as an Early Childhood
Education student. While attending SRU, I worked a part-time job at the SGA
Child Care Center in the McKay Education Building as an Assistant Group
Supervisor. I was able to finish my degree in 3.5 years and graduated from SRU
in December 2017 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Upon
graduation I obtained a job as a Kindergarten Aide and After School Director at
St. Bede School in Pittsburgh. I was fortunate to have acquired this position
so quickly after commencement. This experience opened the door for me to be
considered as an additional lead teacher for this school year. I am currently a
Kindergarten teacher of 14 beautiful students.
2.
What is the most
rewarding aspect of your job?
It is challenging
to pick one most rewarding aspect because becoming a teacher comes with
challenges you never thought you would face and different accomplishments every
single day. Becoming a teacher is more than just being an educator. One of the
most rewarding aspects is to know that you can make a difference in a child’s
day or even life, beyond their academic skills. You are a child’s biggest
cheerleader, friend, safe place and leader. To see a child’s pure and genuine
smile is the most rewarding aspect of my job.
3.
What advice would you
give to current students who are enrolled in the teacher preparation program,
and to SRU students generally?
It is going to
sound extremely stereotypical, but enjoy every moment. You do not realize how
fast it truly goes until you are walking across the stage at commencement. For
students in the teacher preparation program, my biggest suggestion is to get as
much experience as you can. One of my best experiences at Slippery Rock was
working at the university child care center. I highly recommend putting in an
application to work there if you are committed to this field. The education
field is extremely competitive, you need to build your resume and make yourself
stand out with your qualities and strengths. This is your time to step out of
your comfort zone and go above and beyond! Being an effective teacher requires
many skills and at times, they are skills professors cannot teach in the
classroom. These skills are acquired through experience, practice and
dedication. As teachers, we are committed to a career that does not end at 3:00pm,
practice your time management now! Always remember, communication will make a
difference with your peers, your students, administration and your future
classroom parents.
4.
Name an SRU experience
or faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.
One major asset
that SRU has that is not offered at every university is the opportunity to step
foot into a classroom so early in the program. Slippery Rock University
provides countless opportunities and outlets for their students to utilize. My
best experience was my student teaching placement at Plum Borough School
District. I was placed with a talented, excited, creative and inspiring
cooperating teacher. Not only did I have a fantastic cooperating teacher, but I
was also supervised by Dr. Robert Snyder. Dr. Snyder is a professor who is
always there to mentor and lead you through your education journey. Dr. Snyder
is available to assist with questions, concerns and ideas. Professors in the
Education Department take the time to get to know their students personally and
academically which makes them stand out amongst other professors you may meet.
Another experience that I am thankful for was working with Dr. Carmine DeCarlo
and tutoring the Slippery Rock Elementary School students. While working at the
SGA Child Care, I was able to work alongside three professional and
enthusiastic preschool teachers; Ms. Olivia Van der zee, Mrs. Julia Williamson
and Mrs. Chrissy Mulato. Those three preschool teachers were not only my
coworkers but amazing role models during my time at Slippery Rock University. I
was able to learn techniques from them so early on in my college career that I
could use throughout my field and student teaching placements.
5.
What makes a great
teacher?
A great teacher is
someone who is willing to go that extra mile in the classroom even when they
have had the flu the night before. Great teachers are selfless, caring, patient
and excited about their students and learning. Great teachers know their
students academically, socially and emotionally. As teachers we are literally changing the
future in every little aspect that we can. Our students see us as superheroes so
we must put on our cape every day with a smile, no matter what bad thing
happened before walking in those school doors.
