Alyssa Rosencrance

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

I graduated from Slippery Rock in 2017 with a BS in Education. I hold a license for PK-4 in Pennsylvania and PK-6 in Virginia. In the fall, I will be starting my third year as a first grade teacher at Winchester Public School. I am team leader in first grade and work in a dual language school. I also serve on our PBIS committee. I have loved teaching first grade and I have met some great friends and coworkers along the way. 

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

I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, it is in my blood. I visited a family friend at Slippery Rock when I was in high school and immediately fell in love with the campus. Then looking further into the stellar education program, it was my only school choice. 

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

Enjoy absorbing all of the information from your professors, they have been in the field and helped to prepare me for the future. Field work is extremely important, you learn so much from your mentor teachers and this is the time to ask questions and figure out what kind of teacher you want to be. 

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

Dr. Amodei was my advisor and one of my advocates throughout my years at Slippery Rock. I was part of the professor protege program and was lucky enough to work with her. She provided me with opportunities, advice, and knowledge of what I would face after I graduated. Dr. Amodei was exactly the advocate that I needed to help me achieve my dreams. I graduated early and was able to obtain my dream job within 6 months of graduating. Thank you Dr. Amodei!

5. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher comes from the heart. Building connections with your students and making sure they know that you are in their corner from the very beginning. The connection I have with my students is unimaginable, I love each of them and look forward to learning from them every single day. I don’t go to work every day, I go to one of my favorite places in the world.