Ashley Samluk

 

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

I attended SRU for 4 1/2 years and majored in Secondary Education (English). After I graduated in December of 2016, I moved back to my hometown, Erie, Pennsylvania, and began long term subbing in a local school district right away. In the meantime, I decided to pursue my master's degree at Edinboro University. I still wanted to stick to English-based content, so I decided to enroll in their Reading program to be a certified Reading Specialist. While working towards my master's degree, I was hired full time at the high school that I attended and graduated from in 2012, which is also where I work now, McDowell High School. I teach at the 9th and 10th grade building, specifically teaching 9th grade English. I also have the privilege of serving as the assistant coach to the varsity softball team at McDowell. I recently finished my Reading Specialist program and will be starting my third year at McDowell. I am STILL absolutely overjoyed I get to teach and coach in such an amazing district!

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

In addition to being an education major, I was an athlete and played softball during my four years at SRU. While managing both my academic and athletic schedules was pretty stressful, I wouldn't have traded those four years for the world. The people I met while on that journey are still some of my best friends and mentors and I continue to stay in touch with them to this day. 

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

Be fearless. I struggled with this a lot going through college, especially when I started field work and student teaching. At first, I really doubted myself and my knowledge, or if I really was ready to actually teach. The truth is, I feel everyone has their doubts about themselves in some way, but in order to overcome those doubts and fears, we have to face them and tackle them head on. Being fearless, especially in this field, is such an important trait to embody because a lot of people (especially students) depend on you and look to you for guidance and support.

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

Ever since I was little, I remember my sister and I playing "school" in our basement. My parents were always very supportive of us playing and even bought us a big white board, supplied us with markers, pens, pencils, paper, you name it! We would even go as far as making up tests. As mean as this sounds though, I always made the argument that because I was older, I always had to be the teacher and she always had to be the student with the ten other stuffed animal "students". I always had a passion for helping and teaching people, so when decision time came to pick a major, it was pretty easy!

5. What do you love most about teaching?

The most amazing aspect of being a teacher is the relationships I get to make and keep with my students. It is really cool to see former students who I had a year or two ago pop into my room just to say hi and catch up, tell me something exciting that happened to them, or talk to me about their game the night before and how they scored a goal. Those positive adult connections truly do mean a lot to young adults and it's really fun to see them grow up and mature through their high school years. 

6. What makes a great teacher?

Authenticity. I think students, especially older students, appreciate when teachers are genuine and can legitimately depend on them. Half the battle of forming a relationship with ANY type of student is showing them that teachers and students are on the same team and that we are in this together.