Courtney Gallagher

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

 

I started at Slippery Rock in August 2012 as a Middle Level Mathematics major with a minor in Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities. I graduated in December of 2016. In December of 2017, I started my Master’s Degree at SRU for Technology for Online Instruction. I graduated with that degree in December 2018. Currently, I am in my second year of teaching at the Mars Area School District. Last year I was the eighth grade special education teacher, and this year I am the Autistic Support Teacher, the Emotional Support teacher, and I teach pullout English Language Arts and pullout Math to seventh and eighth graders. Before getting hired at Mars, I was substitute teaching in multiple districts across western PA.

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

There are so many aspects of my job that I find rewarding. To me what is the most rewarding is when a student is struggling with a concept, and suddenly the lightbulb in his/her head goes on. The excitement they get when they understand what they’re learning makes my job worth it.

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

A piece of advice that I would give current students in education is to be open to anything. I originally didn’t want to go into special education; I was set on becoming a math teacher. But then I realized how much more marketable I would be if I added certifications to my degree, such as: Special Education, Middle Level English, and Library Media Specialist. One of the constants in my interviews that I had before I landed my job was that I expanded my horizons to other subject areas than just my major and concentration. I made more doors open for myself by taking more PRAXIS tests adding those certifications to my resume.

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

I have so many great memories from my experiences throughout my SRU career. If it wasn’t for Dr. Merhaut in the Special Education Department, I would never have even pursued my minor and the certification that helped me obtain the position I have today. Dr. Hilton in the Secondary Education Department was someone that I looked up to a lot throughout my experiences, both for undergrad and graduate school. He pushed me to do my best and to work hard. I also looked up to my tennis coach while at SRU, coach Matt Meredith. He was always there for me when I needed him, and always had my best interest at heart. He was someone that pushed me to coach after graduation. All three of these men made me work towards becoming a better educator, and I am extremely grateful for each of them being a part of my college career.

5.    What makes a great teacher?

What makes a great teacher, and the teachers who I remember had the greatest impact on me, had a memorable relationship with me. I think building a good relationship with students is something that is extremely important. My students know that I am there for them whether they’re struggling with schoolwork, with friendships, or with something at home. Students need to gain your trust. Students may not remember everything they learned from you, but they will remember how you as an educator treated them.