Jen Barcella

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

I have taught for 23 years now: 

Special Education Learning Support Teacher for grades

1 - 6 at Hempfield School District, Lancaster, PA.
Elementary education grades 2 and 4 at Palm Beach County School District, Palm Beach County, FL.

Elementary Mathematics Curriculum Specialist for the Palm Beach County School District.

Elementary Education grade 5 at Saint Andrew’s School - Boca Raton, FL.
Elementary Education grade 4 at Ravenscroft School - Raleigh, NC.

 

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

In my time at Slippery Rock, I was able to participate in the student teaching program to Mexico City, Mexico.  During this experience we not only had an amazing student teaching experience in dual language classrooms, we traveled the country learning all about the different cultures and truly immersed ourselves in new adventures.  My favorite trip was to Puerto Escondido.  We decided to pack up our backpacks, head off to the airport, purchased plane tickets, then set off for our destination.  We had no idea what we were to expect when we got there.  Walking down the street we hear someone yell out to us in English.  This was a rare thing, to hear someone talking fluent English.  The family asked us what we were doing and we explained that we were student teachers from Slippery Rock teaching in Mexico City at the American Foundation School.  In true fashion of the people in Mexico, they invited us in.  They prepared a wonderful meal for us and hooked us up with a place to stay.  It was this experience that truly opened my eyes to understanding world cultures and how they impact others.  Becoming embraced with an open-mind to new adventures has changed my life completely.  

 

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

Dr. Gordon was my student teaching advisor.  He not only pushed us to be our best selves in the classroom, he taught us all how to be better people.  He took the time to immerse us in cultural experiences in Mexico City that many of us would have looked right past.  Dr. Gordon made us all want to be teachers that view the world around us with a growth mindset.  

 

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

I had always known that I wanted to be a teacher.  Early on in my life I learned that I loved working with others at school, on sports teams, in girl scouts and at church.  I always gravitated to volunteer work with special olympics, teaching pre school classes in high school, and being a camp counselor.  It was something that I have always wanted to be able to give back to the world that has given so much to me.  I believe that educators have the ability to impact our world.  

 

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

My students.  Watching them learn and grow as individuals.  

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

A life long learner that dedicates their professional knowledge to serve others.  A person that sees the world as an open canvas full of opportunities and realizes that every person is an individual with unique talents and abilities that are waiting to be discovered.