Jenna Achtzehn

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

I graduated from Slippery Rock in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. I am currently a 3rd grade teacher at Oakland Elementary School in Clarksville, Tennessee.  

 

2. Name one SRU experience that you will never forget.  

The experience I will never forget is traveling abroad to Italy over spring break. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I got to experience alongside some of my closest friends.  

 

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

Dr. Amodei would be the faculty member that had the most positive influence on me during my time at SRU. Dr. Amodei was not only one of my professors but also my advisor for PSEA which I was heavily involved in. Above being my advisor, she was a friend, she was always the person I could go to when I needed something, and she greatly cared about my successes.  

 

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

I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I was always very passionate about helping others and watching others succeed.  

 

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

I love seeing the growth and success of each one of my students. Especially the “light bulb” moment, when a student is struggling with something for a long time and eventually it just clicks. That makes everything worth it.  

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

A great teacher is someone who cares about their students. A teacher can write any lesson plan and know every standard by heart, but if they don’t have that relationship with their students, it means nothing. Starting from the beginning of the year, a teacher should learn about their students and what makes each one of them special. These relationships make students feel welcome and safe in their classroom.

Jackelyn Bracken

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

I recently graduated from SRU in the Spring of 2020. I am currently a 3rd grade science and social studies teacher at Conemaugh Valley Elementary School- a small school outside of Johnstown, Pa. 

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

I will never forget the field experiences during my time as an SRU student. It was a great experience watching what we were learning in classes being put into practice, and knowing that you were one step closer to reaching your goal (becoming a teacher) after each placement. 

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

Darlene Bullock- her passion and positive attitude for the field was inspiring during each class. She went above and beyond for the students in the class in preparing us for whatever future was ahead of each student. I would also like to thank Dr. Lynch for teaching very realistic and modern classroom management skills, as well as preparing me for the reality of teaching. 

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

My journey originally began when I was a freshman nursing major at Robert Morris University and quickly realized I was in the wrong major. I transferred to SRU and never looked back! 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love getting to know my students and watching them succeed at something that was once a challenge! 

6. What makes a great teacher?

Being a first-year teacher during COVID has been much different than I ever anticipated my first year to be. However, I have not come across one teacher that is not trying their hardest and doing their best. Caring for your students and knowing that you have done the best you can is what makes a good teacher.

Savanna Wilson

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

I graduated from SRU this past May so my teaching background only started a few months ago! I found my current teaching home in Hampton Township School District this year. I started off here as a building substitute teacher, but I am currently a Long Term Substitute Special Education Teacher. I teach elementary students (K-5) with special needs who have IEPs regarding academic areas, social, behavior and/or life skills.

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

Being able to have field experience at The Watson Institute was an experience that I will never forget. I was in a classroom with students who had severe physical and intellectual disabilities. These students truly touched my heart in so many ways and showed me why I want to be a teacher.

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

During my Professional Semester in the CoE, every single professor I had made my experience at SRU worth it. I went through a really tough time in my personal life which made college extra hard my senior year. Dr. Bieniek, Dr. Merhaut, Dr. Rose, and Dr. Mild helped me through my trying times and reminded me that I need to be there for my future students like they were for me.

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

I went to A.W. Beattie Career Center during my time in high school which is the main reason why I perused this path. My teacher there sparked a light in me that I didn’t know existed, and she helped me practice teaching skills that just came naturally to me.

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

Specifically in Special Education, watching a student achieve a goal is so rewarding. As a teacher working with students with special needs, the students get individualized services that help them reach their highest potential. Monitoring students for progress day in and day out and seeing positive results is what makes me go back every single day!

6. What makes a great teacher?

Someone who is in the field for their students. It is evident that the pay is not the reason a first-year teacher stays in the field. If you are in it for the students, you’re going to be a great teacher. Something that I have also learned, especially in special education, is that if I need to stand on my head to make a child learn, then so be it! A great teacher changes their “perfect” lesson plan to do what is in the best interest of their students.

Emily Tressler

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

I am a first-year Kindergarten teacher at Sandy Hill Elementary in Dorchester County, MD. My educational background is in early childhood education pre-k-4 and special education k-8.

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

One of my favorite SRU experiences would be my student teaching experience in New Castle PA as a Kindergarten teacher. This opportunity showed me that my heart lied in Kindergarten and it encouraged me to seek a position after school in Kindergarten as well.

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

There are so many positive faculty members at SRU, however Dr. Merhaut was such a great influence and was able to prepare me to the fullest when looking at special education terms and scenarios.

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

From the time I was 5 years old, I have always dreamt of being a teacher. It was a passion that grew and continued throughout my years and I am so grateful to have stuck with it all these years.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

Wow, this is a difficult question. I love many things about being a teacher but most importantly I love seeing the positive impacts I make on my children and the impacts my children make on me. I have learned many things from my kiddos and my goal is to help them learn and grow as individuals throughout the year.

6. What makes a great teacher?

I believe being a great teacher starts with your passion and mindset for teaching. Being driven to succeed and having the motivation to impact your students will most definitely go a long way!

Jake Klukaszewski

 

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

I studied at CCAC Boyce, Penn State New Kensington, and finally Slippery Rock where I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education with a focus in Social Studies/History. I completed my student teaching at Huston Middle School in Lower Burrell, PA. I am currently in my first year teaching at North Star Middle School in Somerset County, PA where I teach 6th Grade Social Studies.

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

My practicum experience at Lakeview High School was instrumental in my journey to certification. Dr. Hogue was phenomenal in helping me grow as a future educator. My co-op was also amazing and let me teach as many lessons as I wanted to. I was able to teach juniors and seniors, and during my student teaching experience I was able to teach middle school. It really helped me get the most out of my college teaching experience.

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

Three come to mind, Dr. Hicks, Dr. Christmann, and Dr. Hogue. All three gave me the tools necessary for teaching an effective lesson, creating an effective unit, and they also helped me prep for the interview process. Without these three men, I would not be where I am today.

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

My dad is a teacher, my mom is in education, and my sister is a teacher as well. It is in my blood and I knew it was something I wanted to pursue to make a difference in young people's lives.

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

Seeing the growth of students daily, and seeing students who never had a real interest in social studies grow a love for the class and subject as a whole. It's definitely the coolest part of the job.

6. What makes a great teacher?

Empathy, Kindness, and Flexibility. You need to be able to put yourself in your student's shoes to find out what makes them tick and what makes them want to learn. You need to be kind, in particular to kids who act out or tend to struggle the most, because these are the kids that need the most care. You also need to be flexible, because a lesson that works for one student or class, might not work for the next one!