Sophia Joanow

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

I graduated from Slippery Rock in May 2020 with a dual degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I am currently a Learning Behavior Specialist for grades K&1 at Jonathan Burr Elementary School in Chicago, IL.

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

My student teaching experience (along with all other May 2020 student teachers) was one for the books! I spent 9 weeks teaching 1st grade at Mohawk Elementary School. I spent the next 9 weeks teaching 4th & 5th grade learning support at Mohawk- but online. Student teaching during the first school shutdown of the covid-19 pandemic was crazy because no one knew what would happen next. We just had to roll with the punches, which mirrors what teaching in itself is like. Education is not linear, there will always be twists and turns! (pandemic or not)

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

If I could name all of my SRU professors, I would! I truly believe that I would not be where I am today without the awesome professors at SRU. Dr. Kelly was especially a support system for me during my undergraduate experience. She gave me the opportunity to complete a research project, expanding my knowledge of education in ways I didn’t know existed. In addition to that, she was the professor I went to if I needed advice or just a place to hangout in Mckay. She is the best!

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

I originally came to SRU as a public health major looking to join the PA program. The day before classes started freshman year, I didn’t feel like that was the path for me and switched my major. The first day of classes in education was like a breath of fresh air- I immediately knew that I was going to be a teacher!

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I really believe that the corny saying “do what you love and you will never work a day in your life” is absolutely true. The thing I love most about teaching is that school is such a fun and happy place to be. Just as we teachers try and make school a second home for the students, it is for us as well! Your class starts to feel like a family- and that is so heartwarming.

6. What makes a great teacher?

I believe that a great teacher is someone who always puts the needs of their students first, before all else. The whole district of Chicago Public Schools is virtual until the foreseeable future, and my administration has put an emphasis on meeting our students’ basic needs. If they need a break, they get a break. If they want to just hang out and chat for a little, we hang out and chat. Education is focused on caring for your students just as much as it is focused on learning!