Alyssa Greco

 

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

In 2018, I graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. Currently, I just finished my first year as a full-time a Special Education teacher at St. Stephen's Lutheran Academy in Zelienople, Pennsylvania. While it is a tough job, it is incredibly rewarding, and I have already learned so much just from my first year of teaching.

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

The most rewarding aspect of my job is knowing that I come to work everyday and have the ability to make a lasting impact on the students that I come in contact with. I have the chance to inspire children, and to help them achieve their goals, no matter how big or how small. The relationships between students and myself are rewarding as well; sometimes, teachers are the only adults in a child's life who are a positive influence. I pride myself in being a positive influence in my students lives, and being interested in their lives not just inside of the classroom, but outside of the school as well. I get the chance to teach students in ways that they are comfortable with, and I learn new things every day from being with my students! I learn just as much as they do each day. That, to me, is the whole reason why I went into this profession. I want to be able to make a difference in these children's lives. 

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 not sweat the small stuff! Enjoy your time at Slippery Rock University. Your professors will give you so much knowledge, that sometimes you feel like you don't know what to do with it all. Trust me, it will come in handy. Have fun, take chances, and don't be afraid to think outside of the box. Be yourself! Join clubs and make the most of everything that SRU has to offer. Attending SRU was one of the best choices I have ever made, and I feel that I am all the better for it. 

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

One of my favorite professors was Dr. Bieniek. He taught us so much in such a small amount of time, and everything that he taught me has been applicable in my teaching career. He presented everything so positively, and was always willing to answer any question that we had. He was exciting and made me WANT to learn the information he was presenting us with. One of my favorite things he did was on the last day of class. He had us stand on top of our desks as he spoke to us about how we would go on to change the world. It was so inspiring and awesome! He is a great professor, and has a wealth of knowledge to share with you!!!

5. What makes a great teacher?

Great teachers are kind, compassionate, understanding, and funny. Great teachers are prepared, but can be flexible when the students need it. They are dedicated to helping their students learn by whatever means possible. Great teachers have a lasting impression on their students... they are the teachers that we remember for years to come. Great teachers invest themselves in their profession, and provide the best education for their students!

Rebecca Dayton

 

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

I majored in Elementary and Special education at Slippery Rock University. I graduated from Slippery Rock in 2017.  Since August of 2017 I have been teaching third grade in Prince William county schools. 

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

The most rewarding aspect of my job is when you are working with a student who makes the connection when you are working with them. You work with students so diligently and try all of the strategies and it just clicks. Then once it just clicks their enjoyment of getting it! Knowing that you had a huge role in getting that student there is a great feeling!

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

Attending Slippery Rock was one of the best decisions I have made. However, it was over in a blink of an eye, so don’t wish it away.  Enjoy your time at school and all the opportunities. There are so many opportunities given to students in the College of Education, through classes and student teaching. Dr. Lynch from COE said, “Be comfortable with doing the uncomfortable”, this is so true! Given the opportunities it may seem uncomfortable and out of your comfort zone, but in the end it will all be worth it and you will grow so much from the opportunity. 

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

One of the SRU faculty that had a positive influence on my education at SRU was Dr. Lynch. He was my advisor and my professor for a class about Responsive Classroom. This class was all about management and building a community with your class. This was a class that I looked forward to going to. We worked with a school district to observe and plan a morning meeting for a class. I have found that as a teacher that is how I manage my classroom and I often think about how Dr. Lynch taught his class in the same way. He was a great support system and a memorable teacher! 

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is a person who not only wants students to be successful at school but to be successful in everything. Teaching is only a half of the day when it come being a great teacher, you are a friend and a cheerleader for each and every one of your students. A great teacher is someone who wants to build a relationship with all of your students.

Hannah Smith

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

In 2017, I graduated from SRU with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education.  I also obtained additional certifications in mathematics and English Language Arts in order to serve students in grades 4-8 if the need arose.  Currently, I just finished my first year of full-time teaching as a 3^rd grade general education teacher at South Side Elementary School in Beaver County, PA.  Prior to this position, I had two rewarding long-term substituting jobs during the 2017-2018 school year at another district in Beaver County.  There, I taught 6^th grade English Language Arts, and I was a 2^nd grade inclusion teacher.

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

The most rewarding aspect of my job is knowing that every day my words and actions have the ability to make the difference in the life of a child.  I get the chance to inspire children to dream big and reach for the stars.  My words can foster love and confidence in the hearts of students.  I get to think outside of the box to plan lessons and activities that leave my students yearning to learn more.  This is such an invaluable gift as I feel it fosters life-long learning.  I leave my classroom every day feeling I made a difference.  That is the sole reason I went into this profession, and words cannot describe the fulfillment of that dream coming to fruition on a daily basis.

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

Enjoy it!  Slippery Rock was easily one of the best decisions I have made in my adult life, but it sure does fly by.  Take advantage of all the university has to offer.  Get involved.  Join clubs.  Participate in class.  What you do at Slippery Rock now will impact opportunities you can gain in your future.

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

Slippery Rock provided me with a multitude of positive experiences and memories.  One of my favorite clubs at SRU was the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) led by Dr. Snyder.  This club bestowed me so many invaluable opportunities to actively engage children in science.  I went to many different districts to help with after school programs, science days, perform experiments, and so much more.  NSTA gave me the chance to get hands-on experience with kids of various ages and developmental levels and spark their curiosity about the subject.

5.     What makes a great teacher?

Being a great teacher is a multi-faceted honor that cannot be summed up with a single attribute.  Great teachers show their students that they are loved, important, and special.  They empower kids to believe in themselves and work past challenging problems.  They are passionate and prepared to handle the unexpected in the classroom.  They are willing to reinvent themselves for each class and every child.  Most importantly, they invest their hearts in providing a top-notch education for the students in their care.

Emily Hartman

 

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

I graduated with my undergraduate degree in Secondary Education-Social Studies in May 2018 (and a minor in political science), in the fall I will be starting my master’s degree online through Slippery Rock! After graduation, I accepted my current position as a High School History teacher in Campbell County Virginia, just outside of Lynchburg, Virginia. I currently teach World History and Geography 1 and Virginia/United States History at Brookville High.

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

It’s hard to pinpoint a specific item or piece of my work to label it the “most” rewarding but I would have to say the most rewarding part of my job has been seeing my students latch on to a specific lesson or  a topic of history that we studied and tell me that its their new favorite or that they enjoyed it. No matter what has happened throughout the school year, the first time I saw my students engaged and loving being in class made my journey to becoming a teacher worth it.

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

My advice for current CoE students and all students is to take as many opportunities to grow your knowledge and pad your resume. These will not only help you grow as a student, but this will give you important learning experiences to take advantage of and will give you a multitude of things to reflect on as you become a professional. I participated in a summer session World War 1 course through the History Department that allowed me travel to England, France and Belgium. I used the experiences I learned on my trip in my classroom. My students really enjoyed the personal knowledge I included during my trip and it helped them to latch on to the information regarding the section. Another piece of advice I would give to students is to keep your notes from your education classes, they really helped me!

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

It isn’t until you get outside of Slippery Rock University that you really get to see how well known our education program is in other communities.  Throughout my job search process, I had many administrators tell me that they love hiring SRU teachers because of how well trained we are. I’d like to thank the Education faculty—most specifically the SEFE professors for always being so transparent and continuing to inspire the passion for educating in us all. Dr. Hilton, who was my academic adviser before my professor, taught me some of the most important lessons in my career at SRU. He really helps you learn about the different ways you can incorporate different learning styles and different methodology of teaching social studies. As Hilton says, “His lifetime guarantee” has been beneficial to me as I started my first year of teaching. Dr. Yamamoto who was my Student Teaching adviser helped me to better reflect on my teaching experiences and to help me grow as an educator. Thank you to Dr. Heather Rice of the Political Science department for being a mentor to me and helping me dig deeper to discover a passion for politics and for being a genuine person inside and outside the classroom.   

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher isn’t just someone who just teaches their content from bell to bell but also cares about their students, forms a lasting connection and mentors their students in times of need. I was inspired to become a teacher because I had a teacher who did the same for me in high school.  It is my goal and dream to do that for my students now. A great teacher also helps connect their school with their community. My school has multiple clubs and organizations that work with the community and to better serve the school as an entirety.