Katlyn Zellefrow

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

I have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education. I am currently a 2-4 emotional support teacher at Center Avenue Community School, an all emotional support school in Butler Area School.  

2. What do you love most about teaching?

The thing I love most about teaching is the positive impact I have on the kids. A lot of the kids I teach have rough home lives. I get to be their happy place. They make our classroom their home and we get to grow together. Seeing the positive things they learn at school makes me the happiest. 

3. Name one SRU experience, in general or specific to the field, that you will never forget and explain why? 

I will never we forget how helpful, caring, and kind all the staff members were. Those professors that I had for the special ed classes are who taught me today to advocate for my students and really helped to bring my passion of special education out. Cannot thank them enough for opening my eyes to the great world of special ed! 

4. What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular the education department? 

I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I had heard nothing but great things about the education department and I knew there was no other choice for me. They proved that to be true. 

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is one that puts relationships first. If you don’t build a relationship with a child, they aren’t going to learn anything. Time and time again I am faced with negative behaviors. I am able to turn around so many of those behaviors by having that relationship. Students aren’t going to remember the curriculum you teach, but the way you made them feel. Show them you care, listen to them, make them feel loved.

Cayla Ross

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

My educational background includes receiving both my undergrad degree and graduate degree through Slippery Rock University. I received my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in May 2012. I received my Masters in Reading Specialists in July 2019. Some positions I’ve held have included teaching 5th grade History and Science, 5th grade Reading and Language Arts, and currently working as a 3rd grade Language Arts teacher.

2. What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular, the education department?

Slippery Rock University struck me with how beautiful their campus was. Coming from a small high school, I was immediately drawn to the size of Slippery Rock. While attending Slippery Rock University, I felt like an immediate resident of the small town of Slippery Rock. Everything was at walking distance, which was great! Throughout my process of looking for colleges with an education program, not one school topped Slippery Rock. Slippery Rock University was nationally known as a highly respected school for their education program. 

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

As an educator, there are several rewarding aspects of our jobs. One of my favorite aspects of my job is to watch the growth and progress of my students not only from my perspective as their teacher, but to watch that same realization among my students. To see that fire lit in their eyes when they gain the confidence in themselves as learners is so rewarding. When you have students who pull you aside at the end of the school year to just say thank you for all that you did for them, you realize one of the many reasons why you chose to go into this profession. 

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

Throughout my time as an undergrad and graduate student at Slippery Rock University, I was grateful to have guidance and knowledge from many professors. I was always awed by their knowledge and dedication to the education field. A professor that has stuck with me the most is Mary Vetere. Mary Vetere was an Early Childhood Educator professor. Not only did I love her class and gained so much insightful knowledge, but she was so inspiring as an educator. Mary Vetere was encouraging and never gave up on her future educators in her courses. She always provided effective feedback that helped promote growth and learning. She was always so welcoming and was available even after I graduated to write me a very professional recommendation letter. I will always be grateful for my time spent with her and continue use some of her practices today in my own classroom. 

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher shows passion for their job as an educator every single day. Our days as an educator are not always easy, and not always enjoyable, but one who is passionate about their job as a teacher will persevere to ensure the best for their students. You can always tell the passion in a great teacher by the way they speak of their students and their lessons to others. A great teacher also is someone who knows and understands that education is a revolving door with new teaching practices and techniques to implement to best fit the needs for their students. A great teacher is not one that can be made, but always have the continuous passion for growth and learning as their career carries on. 

Jennifer Vasinko

1.What school district and grade/s do you currently teach?

I currently teach Kindergarten in the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District in Oak Harbor, Ohio. 

2. What initially peaked your interest in pursuing a degree in education?

I have always thoroughly enjoyed school and learning new things. I had many teachers in my career that were role models, but it wasn’t until I was in high school that I had some superb educators that helped me see my true potential. I felt there was no better way to give back to the education community than to help young children also see their value and potential. 

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

Be open minded! Take advantage of all the opportunities SRU has to offer, especially in the field of education. Even if you’re not sure that you would be interested in pursuing that grade level or subject area in the future, try it! Experience will only help you grow as an educator. Try that unique lesson plan, implement a new strategy in your cooperating teacher’s classroom, get outside your comfort zone. This is your time to be creative and brave!

4. Name one SRU experience, in general or specific to the field, that you will never forget and explain why.

My most fond memory of studying education at SRU was an amazing opportunity I was given by Dr. Snyder to travel to Ireland with a group of education majors from Slippery Rock and Edinboro University. It was my first time out of the country and it was a truly eye-opening experience to be exposed to another culture and student teach in classrooms while we were there. I highly recommend student teaching in another country if given the opportunity!

5. What makes a great teacher?

I think this quote sums it up: “Keep showing up for the kids who love you and for the ones who’d never admit that they do.” Some days you will teach kids a brand-new concept and they will have profound breakthroughs. Other days, you will just make sure your students know they are loved. A great teacher knows both of those days are equally successful.

Monica Traggiai

1. What school district and grade/s do you currently teach?

I am a 3rd Grade teacher at Avonworth Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA.

2. What do you love most about teaching?

What I love most about teaching is the opportunity to positively impact a student’s life. In the field of teaching, you can impact a student by teaching them something they’ve never known, and seeing their eye’s light up when they understand!  You can also simply impact a student by showing love through a kind heart and listening ear. I am always blessed to have these opportunities as I watch my students grow every day, and help them along their journey.

3. What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular, the education department?

I was attracted to SRU because it was, and still is, a university that allows their students to set their own goals and find ways to achieve them. Even if those goals are not typical. Slippery Rock was the only school with nationally recognized programs in both of the fields I wanted to study, early childhood education and dance. SRU allowed me to pursue both of my passions and graduate in 4.5 years with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. I am beyond thankful for that opportunity because both degrees allow me to find connections between art and education, and shape me into the teacher I am today. 

4.  Name one SRU experience, in general or specific to the field, that you will never forget and explain why.

The many field experiences we were given are memories I will never forget . My field experience during Block 2 at Musser Elementary School in Sharon, PA, and student teaching at Buffalo Elementary School in Freeport, PA especially. I will never forget those experiences because they gave me authentic teaching experiences through becoming responsible for instructing students and creating positive relationships. Those weeks spent in the field were so encouraging and inspiring. I then knew for sure I was in the right profession.

5. What makes a great teacher?

 I believe a great teacher is someone who doesn’t just focus on academic mastery, but rather focuses on helping her students become compassionate young learners. Through intentional, well designed instruction that includes play, investigation, and collaboration, a teacher shows her students how to understand the world, their peers, and themselves while creating an authentic learning experience.