Paige Cassella

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

I began studying at Slippery Rock University in August of 2014. I majored in Spanish Education (K-12 certification). I also studied abroad in Madrid, Spain at the University of Alcalá de Henares, Franklin Institute during the summer of 2016. I graduated from SRU last May of 2018. Shortly after graduation, Aliquippa School District hired me as their full time Spanish teacher. I currently teach Spanish I, II and III which consists of students in grades 9-12. I love it so much and feel very fortunate to have found a job in Pennsylvania right after graduation!

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

The most rewarding aspect of my job is knowing that I am providing my students with a skill that is such an asset, especially in the world today. Being bilingual is a skill that has opened numerous doors for me, and I would love for my students to have those same opportunities. Aside from the content I teach being rewarding, being a teacher is even more so emotionally rewarding. Working in an inner-city school can definitely be a challenge, but I feel it is what I was called to do. Classroom management is usually at the forefront of my responsibilities, which can be frustrating because I am so passionate about my content. However, it is necessary for student success and it has made me a better educator. My school district is working towards becoming a trauma-informed school. To be able to help and teach adolescents who unfortunately face many traumatic things at home is an inexplicable feeling. Supporting students who are stacked against society’s odds is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.

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

My best advice to any SRU student would be to study abroad. SRU has so many incredible programs! I was fortunate enough to not only study in Spain, but to go on a trip to Costa Rica with the College of Education as well as a trip to the Dominican Republic. These experiences enabled me to see the world from a different perspective and ultimately become not only a better educator, but a better person. To students in the teacher preparation program, enjoy every minute of it! It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but everything that you are working for will be worth it in the end. Being an educator is not an easy job. It is hard to teach children and adolescents when you are still learning and growing yourself. Just breathe and take everything day by day. Another really important thing is to build good relationships with your professors and cooperating teachers. They will give you the feedback you need to hear and the support that you deserve. Finally, always act professionally during field experiences and student teaching experiences. Be kind and courteous to everyone from the custodians to the principal. Leave a lasting impression with everyone you meet!

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

I never had Dr. Lynch for a class, but he led my trip to Costa Rica and I got to teach in the Dominican with him. He’s such a great guy. One thing he always said that really resonated with me was, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” He taught me that sometimes you have to be willing to takes chances and put yourself in uncomfortable situations in order to grow. Other professors who positively impacted me and inspired me during my time at SRU are Dr. Hicks, Dr. Christmann, Dr. Dieter, Dr. Cortijo and Dr. Alessi.

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is a genuine teacher. Students know the difference between a teacher who just goes through the motions and a teacher who shows up every single day ready to impact lives. A great teacher demands excellence and does not accept mediocrity. A great teacher sees situations from an empathetic viewpoint; they realize that students endure many things outside of school that may impact their performance and behavior within the classroom. A great teacher is able to adapt and modify instruction for diverse learners. A great teacher is more than just an educator; they are a role model and advocate for their students.

Carolyn Vachon

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

 

I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education and Special Education in 2016. I graduated with my Master’s of Education with specializations in Autism and Special Education in May 2018. I graduated with both these degrees from Slippery Rock University. Directly after my undergraduate degree, I accepted the Graduate Assistant position at Slippery Rock University/SGA Preschool and Child Care Center until I finished my Master’s degree. I accepted my current position directly after graduating with my Master’s. I am currently an elementary self-contained Multiple Disabilities Teacher in a Title 1 school with Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia right outside of Washington, DC.

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

 

I teach students with autism and intellectual disabilities. There are many rewarding parts of my job. Many of my students are non-verbal and when they are able to vocalize, say a new word, or use their communication device in a new way is one of the most amazing parts of my first year teaching. My students require direct and repetitive instruction and sometimes it takes them months to master a functional task such as washing their hands, writing their name, or following a routine such as our morning meeting. Now at the end of the year, I cannot believe how much they have grown and all they have accomplished throughout the school year. I love working with our Autism teacher and flexible grouping with students from our other autism classrooms. 

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

There are a few pieces of advice I would give to teacher candidates. The first piece of advice would be to take advantage of any opportunity the department or professors offer. I took advantage of collaborating with Sharon City School District during Block 2 and Student Teaching with Dr. Walsh. I initially implemented lessons in the classrooms, established myself in the building during field, and then student taught in the same school. I would also take the Responsive Classroom Management class. My school utilizes Responsive Classroom and it was great to have a step up at the beginning of the school year. I would take advantage of the international experiences that SRU offers. Through the education department, I was able to travel to Sweden, the Netherlands, and Ireland. In each location, I was able to go to schools and see how their classrooms were ran. I have even utilized some of the strategies I saw overseas in my current classroom.

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

Many professors in the Special Education and Early Childhood Education departments had an integral part of making me the teacher I am now. Dr. Merhaut was a wonderful advisor and always made time to listen to me and assist me in any way possible. Dr. Snyder was my student teaching advisor, professor, and leader of the student teaching experience in Ireland. Dr. Snyder’s science methods class during Block 2 made me interested in science and has a great influence on my kindergarten science group. Lastly, Dr. Katsafanas had the biggest influence during my educational career at SRU. Dr. K always came to class with a smile on her face and a story and experience to teach us from. Dr. K genuinely cared about how we were doing and would help you with whatever you needed. I was always so inspired and ready to take on the world after leaving her class.

5. What makes a great teacher?

 

A great teacher is someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to help their students succeed. A great teacher gets to know their students as much as possible and establishes a relationship with the student and their family. I took the first few weeks at the beginning of the year to get to know my students and the other students in our program. A great teacher teaches their students functional skills as well as academic skills. A great teacher is also a collaborator. At my school, we have a team of 5 self-contained classrooms and each classroom has a head teacher and two paraprofessionals. We have to collaborate at every moment of our day with teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, general education teachers, and administration. As a self-contained special education teacher, I adapt and modify everything for each one of my students. Not one of my students is working on the same thing or on the same level and differentiating instruction for each of them is what makes them succeed. Be flexible, everyday there will be a new challenge or obstacle. Take it all in stride and do your best! Learn from your mistakes and come back to school everyday on a fresh page.

Rachel Kingston

 

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

I dual majored in Early Childhood and Special Education at SRU. After I graduated I taught ESY at Keystone Oaks and then I moved to Charleston, SC. In South Carolina I co-taught kindergarten and loved it! My husband and I moved back for his job and I worked at Grove City for a few months doing Ameri-Corps until I was present with the opportunity to teach at Sto-Rox. Now I currently teach in the Sto-Rox Therapeutic support classroom with kindergarten-third grade students!

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

The most rewarding part of my job is watching kids grow academically and behaviorally. A lot of my students struggle with self-regulation and watching them be able to control their emotions, talk things out and move on with their day is so dang cool.

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

I would tell them to soak up every single minute of college. Take every field experience and run with it. That is one of the best times to learn and grow. Ask as many questions as possible and get as much experience as you can!

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

Dr. Jeremy Lynch is by far the best professor I have ever had. He was always someone who I looked up to and admired. The way he teaches he models real life application and does his very best to help us succeed in whatever he’s teaching us. I had the privilege to study abroad with him to the Dominican Republic and it was such a cool experience to see education from a very different prospective. I can’t thank Dr. Lynch enough for all he did for me and continues to do!

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is someone who is ready and willing to learn and be flexible. As an educator things are constantly changing and evolving. Be ready to adapt to the diverse needs of students and always do what’s best for the kids because that’s why you’re there. Never ever give up on your students. You are their light and you help create the pathway for their success.