Troy Kroll

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

9th grade US History, 11th Grade Modern World History, AP Macro/Microeconomics, AP US History;  Great Mills High School, St. Mary's County Public Schools in Southern Maryland

2. What do you love most about teaching?

I don't imagine myself doing anything else.  I truly love the flow of a regular high school day.  Above all else, I enjoy seeing former students bragging about their successes.  Being a part of a team of professionals with a common goal. 

3. What has been your most rewarding experience as a teacher/professor? If you cannot narrow it to one, describe one rewarding experience.

The most rewarding experience for me happens twice a year.  Once at graduation and the other is at senior night for the swim team, since I am the coach.  I enjoy watching parents' pride in their children's accomplishments.  I recently had a conversation with one of my current athletes of her aspirations to be a Social Studies teacher.  Those situations are truly special because she mentioned the impact of my department on her choice to possibly be a teacher.  

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

My advice for students in the program is to be open to teaching wherever and whoever! Do not wait for the perfect job/situation.  I learned more about teaching when there was no one in the classroom with me and it was me and 20-30 young faces staring back at me.  Make mistakes and learn from them, develop your own method and keep adding to your teaching toolbox.   And, if you can, take a class on school law, it will give you more insight on the decisions made from your administrators.  But above all else, remember it is a job, try to leave as much of it at school as you can.  The older teachers you will be working with want younger teachers there for the long haul, not burning out 5 years into the job.

5. What makes a great teacher?

Be a visible role model for students and how they should conduct themselves.  Conduct yourself in a manner in which you expect your students to do, whether its relationships with staff, other students, your spouse or child.  Dress the part, act the part, live the part.   The students also will know whether you like them or not, its something you will not be able to fake.  Jump in with both feet!