Nathan Pfeiffer

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

I got my undergrad in Elementary Education with a minor in Middle Level Mathematics at Slippery Rock University.  I have worked all of my 17 years at Plum Borough School District with 1 year as a Math Coach/Gifted Support, 1 year as a STEM teacher, and 15 years teaching 6th grade with a focus on teaching math.  While teaching, I obtained my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Gannon University before returning to SRU to work on my doctorate in Special Education where I am currently working on my dissertation.

 

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

At graduation practice, in front of all of my fellow graduating seniors, Dr. Smith (the current school president) called me up on stage under the guise of giving a speech to my fellow classmates.  After a few encouraging words along the lines of moving on to our exciting futures, but not wanting to do it alone, I called my girlfriend (also a graduating senior) up to the stage with me. In front of all of my classmates, I was very happy that she said yes to my marriage proposal on the stage in Morrow Field House.  15 years later, we are still as happy as ever and the proud parents of 3 amazing daughters.  While we had started dating in high school before attending SRU together, our life moving forward was shaped by the people we met, relationships created, professors we had, and life lessons learned while at Slippery Rock together.  We still drive through and visit campus when we can to remember all of the good times we had as students (and to grab a Bob's sub!).

 

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

Dr. Werner helped me realize that I could come out of my shell and make math fun.  Bringing humor to my teaching and encouraging my students to laugh and enjoy themselves has been a vital part of my teaching philosophy.  If students want to come to class and are willing to work, then you can help them do incredible things.  I had always had incredible math teachers in my academic career, but Dr. Werner helped me to see my future teacher self and philosophy come to life.

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

I had always been a good math student and had often been asked to help my classmates in middle school and high school.  There is no better feeling than watching the moment the "light bulb" goes on for someone when you help them to finally understand a concept.  Seeing that with my classmates, as well as incredible experiences working at a summer camp for socially and emotionally challenged elementary students at my local YMCA made me realize that teaching was the career for me.

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

As stated earlier, the moment you help a student to make a realization, a connection, or overcome what had been a challenge to them is an incredible moment to be a part of.  Additionally, teaching is such an amazing career because of the constant connections you get to make with new students every year.  While it is always sad to see a group of students move on each year after watching their hard work and growth throughout a school year, knowing that there is always a new group of students headed my way the next year keeps me energized and motivated to work just as hard for them.

6. What makes a great teacher?

I would hope that others would describe me as a great teacher and I believe it would be from the connections that I make with my students.  Whether it be through the bad singing, not-always-funny jokes, dancing, or any other ways that I show my students that we can have a good time while working hard, I always strive to make my classroom a positive place that students want to be.  I have been blessed to teach in a great community, have wonderful parental support, and awesome students in my teaching career.  I always want to do whatever I can to help my students grow and that is why I chose to go back for my doctorate in Special Education.  So that I can find more and new ways to help reach any student that comes in to my classroom.

Lisa Riello-Jones

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

I graduated from SRU with a BS in Elementary Education and a BS in Special Education in 1996.  I earned my Master's Degree in Education from George Mason University in 2009. Throughout my teaching career, I have served as a teacher of students with learning disabilities in grades 3-5, as well as a general education teacher in grades 1, 2, and 3. I have been a first-grade teacher in Prince William County for the last 16 years.

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

I loved my time at SRU! I was fortunate to be part of the first group of students to student teach in Las Vegas, NV!  After walking across the stage at graduation, we piled into 2 cars and drove across the country. It was a great experience that taught me a lot about helping students and prepared me for my first teaching job which was also in Las Vegas.

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

One of my favorite professors was Dr. Quast. He was kind, patient, and had a great sense of humor. He also served as an advisor to us during our student teaching adventure. He took the time to get to know his students and find out what was going on with us outside of the classroom. Another faculty member who had a positive influence on me was Rebecca Badgett. I initially planned to only major in Elementary Education, but I met her at an education fair, and she introduced me to the field of Special Education. Adding a degree in Special Education added extra time to my college career, but it has served me well in all of my teaching experiences.

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

Growing up, I had some great teachers. I also had some not-so-great teachers. I think both kinds of teachers helped me decide that I wanted to become a positive influence and role model for children. 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love creating a sense of community in my classroom each year. I enjoy getting to know my students and finding out who they are outside of school. Together, we create an environment where everyone belongs and feels valued, which sets the stage for the hard work of learning.

6. What makes a great teacher?

The field of education is ever-changing. I believe a great teacher is one who is always willing to learn from both their colleagues as well as their students. We have so much to learn. I think great teachers are the ones who take the extra time to build relationships with students. There is nothing better than that visit from a high school senior who once sat in your first-grade classroom!

Kristen Kilgore Nan

Bio: An educator for the last 23 years, Kristen Nan’s passion for building relationships with her students, colleagues, and community continues to ignite change for the better! Kristen has served as an emotional support teacher, learning support teacher, and classroom teacher in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to her current role as a cyber 2nd-3rd-4th grade teacher, Kristen is an author and national speaker. With keeping a future-ready mindset at the forefront for every child, she has been recognized as an award-winning educator for innovative practices. Kristen’s book, “ALL IN, Taking a Gamble in Education” is co-authored by Dr. Jacie Maslyk and focuses on the importance of risk-taking, chances, and building relationships between teachers and administrators.

Website: kristennan.com (on my website you will find my book, podcasts, achievements, and a glance into my classrooms)

 

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

I graduated from Slippery Rock University in the spring of 1995 with a degree in both Elementary and Special Education. My journey has consisted of:

• Student Teaching experience in Ireland through the SRU program

• Special Education

• Emotional support teacher

• 3-4 Learning Support teacher

• Regular Education

• 3rd grade

• 2nd-3rd-4th Cyber Instructor (created by my district to meet the needs of our students during the pandemic and is my current position at Hopewell Area School District in Aliquippa, PA)

• Apple Certified

• Google Certified: Level 1 Certification

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

Honestly, my memories at the ROCK far surpass anything that I could have dreamt of for myself. From the incredible academic foundation I received to serve the last 23 years as an educator,  Greek Life as a Delta Zeta and serving on the Panhellenic Council, countless opportunities to serve in leadership roles on campus, and the ongoing support that I had from each of my professors, it was so much more than an education to say the least. I think back often to my experience overseas working with the students, teachers, headmasters, and beautiful people in Ireland (keep in mind the intensity of carrying credits, planning for interviews, and then going through the process of narrowing down 500 applicants to 18 to then be accepted). But the one experience that was a true game-changer for me was when I was challenged to create an interactive board in one of my methods classes, on a very humble college student budget. I decided that the best way to go about it was to be relatable and engaging while holding true to the content that I was trying to teach.  I chose to teach a young audience about toxic household items that may attract a child’s attention.  Through the process, I decided that Santa himself was someone that kids naturally trust so I made him the focus of my board.  From there, I had items that either had velcro attached to stick to Santa (the good things we can consume) or ones without velcro that ultimately would not stick as a sign that you should not consume.  Those items needed to have a Mr. Yuck sticker placed on them.  In the end, I was afforded the opportunity to compete at Penn State University against many other pre-service teachers from around the state.  When I walked in I was in absolute awe of the beautiful masterpieces lining the tables from room to room.  After displaying my work and interviewing with countless judges, I was beside myself to receive the first prize placement all around for creativity.  I was handed a small medallion and a fifty-dollar bill, which was more money than I had ever been handed before, let alone won!  It was the reassurance that I needed to know I could do anything I set my mind to and the right amount of fire lit to go after it and make it happen! 

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

Lynne Swisher, Greek Affairs/Student Advisor was one of the most unique individuals I had been privileged to work with at SRU.  She offered inspiration, consistency, push-back, a safe place to talk if need be, goal-setting pep-talks, an open forum for creativity, and boundaries needed to balance it all!  She was a class act in all ways and truly gave me the outlet that I was in need of to help make my experience well-rounded. 

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

Truthfully, I didn’t like school.  I had a lot of distractions in my home life and felt that due to my own personal circumstances, I was unable to gain the same opportunities as others.  I was determined to reframe the 12-year educational experience of a child’s life to one of empowerment, not restraint.  Not only should a child have the proper support to find their voice in their learning, but they need to be seen and heard to build on their own value and worth. Simply said, my interest wasn’t piqued, it was demanded! 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

Everything! The fact that there are new ideas being created every day in our world and I am lucky enough to be at the center of it all! I literally love everything from the moment that they are walking down the hall ready for a new day, to their smiles and giggles over the silly things we do that “aren’t learning” as they may think.  I love being able to connect with every child as they enter my door, and to know what they need to own their day.  They each bring their own story with them and I try to give them the space to tell it.  I love to see the sparkle in their eye as they make connections and those “lightbulb moments”!  I love when I can create a space of trust where they are able to stretch their own thinking and begin to rely on themselves for the skills that they never realized they had.  I love bringing real-world learning into their very real space, all while helping them build their own character so that they can give back and serve the world around them!

6. What makes a great teacher?

Wow, this is quite the question!  I feel what makes a great teacher is one who is not only driven to learn but recognizes that it is a must to truly educate.  One that is humble in knowledge and brilliant in heart.  A leader from all facets of education that does not define themselves by a title.  A great teacher is a person who recognizes they will never hold all of the answers, but that they are a key to the opportunity to find them.  A great teacher is one who is brave enough to try and then steps out of the way! One who continues to grow with the sphere of education through podcasts, blogs, books, conferences, and by nurturing a professional learning network to support their students and self. Not only does a great teacher do this for their students and self, but for their colleagues and community as well.  Finding the greatness in others will no doubt lead to being a great teacher!

Allison Peschel

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

I have two Associates Degrees from Warren County Community College in Education and Criminal Justice. Once I finished at my local community college, I attended Slippery Rock from Spring of 2017 to Spring of 2019 where I majored in Elementary Education Pk-4 and minored in Instructional Strategies. After graduating, it took me a little while to find a job, but when I began teaching I was a Second Grade Instructional Support Teacher at Lehigh Valley Academy, a charter school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I was there for a majority of the 2019-2020 school year until I left in the beginning of March to take a leave of absence in a Preschool classroom within my home district in New Jersey. I was the Preschool teacher at Belvidere Elementary School from the week prior to the pandemic, until the school year ended. Throughout the summer I helped continue the food program where needy students could still receive school lunches while we were on our vacation. I kept searching and applying for any jobs that I was qualified for until I came across one at one of the other schools within our district. It was actually a job I had applied for a year earlier and been passed over on after making it through two rounds of interviews so I knew this time would be different. About 2 weeks before the 2020-2021 school year began I was hired as the Kindergarten teacher at Harmony Township Elementary School, all of my hard work and determination had finally begun to come together. 

 

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

One of the great things about being a transfer student after having finished an associate's was that by the time I got to SRU, I had mainly core classes directly related to my major. I was just so excited to be there, and continuing my education I really absorbed everything as much as I could. I would say that my last semester or two before student teaching were probably the most impactful semesters out of all of my semesters in college. During those periods of time, my professors really pushed us and helped us transition from student to teacher while we were still the student. Some professors really pushed us outside of our comfort zones and let us become the teachers we wanted to be based on what we were learning. I cannot tell you how much I use the experiences I had at Slippery Rock on a daily basis. I am constantly reflecting and circling back to teaching methods I learned from SRU, and I am so grateful for it. 

 

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

As soon as I stepped foot on Slippery Rock's campus Dr. Vetere helped me realize that I had made the right decision. I can remember sitting in her office on the first day of classes, without a schedule, five hours from anyone I knew, I had just moved away from home for the first time ever, and it all came about in less than five days and I was just feeling kind of scared and lost. I sat on her blue couch and she helped me get a schedule, discussed the layout of my time there in semesters, and she made sure to fill me in on where the best shopping was and food in town, I left her office with a whole new feeling and was ready to go start my first semester. Throughout my time at SRU I can remember begging Dr. Vetere to just wait to retire until I graduate so that I wouldn't have to even think about being without one of my favorite mentors. Whenever I achieve anything within my education career I always am most excited to share it with her. 

A professor that really made an impact on my college career was Dr. Lynch. I had him the semester before student teaching, and I wish I had had him earlier in my college career so that I could have taken more of his classes. He was very honest and made class so fun, but most importantly, it was so purposeful. He had clear expectations and had super creative ways of achieving them on a daily basis. One of the things that I think I appreciated the most about him was his realness in making real-life connections to us outside of the 4 walls of our classrooms. I find myself reflecting on some of his lessons the most, and a majority of the time that I find myself reflecting on them it isn't when I am in my classroom, it is during just everyday life. I think that is how you know when someone has really made an impact on you, especially a professor. 

 

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

I always knew that I wanted to work with children, I just wasn't quite sure what I wanted that to look like. During my second semester at community college, I was talking to a friend who was in the education program there and we were talking about our futures and plans and it was her who suggested to me that I become a teacher. After she made that suggestion, I couldn't stop thinking about it. The more that I had thought about it, the more I realized by not being a teacher, I was fighting my calling. Once I switched my major and enrolled in the classes, I never looked back or ever second-guessed it. Even throughout the uncertain time after graduation when I could not find a job, I held onto the fact that I knew this is what I was made to do. If I just stuck it out and kept persevering, I would eventually land myself where I needed to be. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I think one of the things that I love most about teaching is that you get to make an impact on your students every day, for as long as you are a teacher. Every day is new and teaching can be so unexpected no matter how much you plan. It keeps you on your toes and allows you to try new things out frequently, as long as you just try them. I love the inquisitive nature of my students and their ability to turn my day around with a silly question or statement. Being a first-year teacher during the pandemic is something I was not prepared for, but my love for teaching never wavered despite all the learning curves and challenges thrown my way. 

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is someone who is passionate, determined, dedicated, and is willing to preserve against challenges that are thrown their way. A great teacher can adapt lessons when something isn't going their way and makes the necessary adjustments to try to get the objective across in a more relatable way. There is no one way to define a great teacher but if the teacher is not passionate about what they do, the students will definitely take notice and no one will be getting a positive experience.