Emily Herring

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

I graduated from SRU in 2015 with a BS in Early Childhood and Special Education. During the spring and summer of 2015, I spent most of my time applying for and interviewing for teaching jobs while working as a Summer Camp Director at my local YMCA. In July, I got the good news that I was being offered a Kindergarten classroom teaching role in Concord, North Carolina. I had met the principal at a conference in Pittsburgh earlier that year, and patience paid off! I taught Kindergarten for two years and Second Grade Science/Social Studies for one at Cabarrus County Schools. Both were amazing and enriching, but I'd have to say that the Second Grade role was my favorite. 

 

In 2017, I enrolled in SRU's Master of Environmental Education and Natural Resource Management, an online program, and graduated at the end of 2018. At the end of the 2017-2018 school year, I left my teaching role to complete that program through an internship in Phoenix, Arizona, working with the Game and Fish Department. While there, I did a lot of education and outreach throughout the state of Arizona, as well as a lot of field work. It was incredible! 

 

Since then, I've moved through various roles - project manager, education and outreach specialist, and operations associate to name a few titles. Though none of those are "teacher" anymore, I would certainly not be where I am without the education and experience from my initial degrees and teaching roles.

 

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

Student teaching in Mexico City, Mexico was the absolute highlight of my time at SRU! There are countless other things I loved about my time there, but that definitely stands out the most. The culture of Mexico, the sweet host family we stayed with, and the impressive school we taught in are all impossible to forget. 

 

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

Nearly every professor or faculty member I came in contact with had a positive influence in one way or another, but I'd have to say that Dr. Rob Snyder was the most influential. I loved that he always made his career into what he wanted it to be. He put in the work and excelled at whatever he chose to do, but he also showed me that it's okay to look outside of the classroom walls for other adventures. Not to mention, he was an excellent mentor and supportive supervisor throughout student teaching and post-grad, too! 

 

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

I've always been able to connect with children, and saw myself as a leader. I believe that a better society starts with children, and being a positive influence in a child's life is one of the greatest things a person can do. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching? 

I love the little connections you make with kids. They have so much to offer, so when you really take the time to listen and see them for who they are, it's incredibly rewarding. A simple exchange of smiles could always make my day! 

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

There are so many characteristics of a great teacher. I think compassion is one of the top qualities, though. It's easy to lose sight of why you're doing it once you get into the world of progress reports, standardized testing, state mandates, and parental influences. But the teachers who continue to love their careers for many years always have compassion. Compassion for their students, their families, coworkers, AND themselves.

Kaiti and Ian Hillman

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

Kaiti-

I graduated from SRU in 2007 with a Bachelors of Science

in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education.

I began my career as a PreK teacher in Berkeley County

Schools, WV. During the past 15 years I have also taught 1st

grade, I was a media specialist (K-5), technology coach

(K-12), and an instructional coach (K-8). I am currently an

Elementary Instructional Support Facilitator (K-5) for

Jefferson County Schools, WV. 

 

Ian- 

I received my Bachelors of Science at SRU in Secondary

Education with a concentration in Social Studies. I have

taught several high school Social Studies courses, and Special

Education. I have been an assistant principal at a middle

school and high school, a principal at an elementary school,

and am currently the principal of Musselman Middle School in

Berkeley County Schools, West Virginia

 

2. Name one SRU experience, in general or specific to the

field, that you will never forget and explain why. 

My best SRU experience was my field/student teaching

experience at Moraine Elementary. I was lucky enough to be

in the same classroom from November through April, with a

cooperating teacher who became like a second mom. I

learned a lot from Mrs. Glover and I’m thankful for the

experience!

A memorable experience is when our class had to prepare

mini lessons and our professor, Dr. Thomas would act as a

disruptive student and give us practice in how to handle that.

It kept us on our toes and gave us practical experience we

could use in our future classrooms. 

 

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

and explain why. 

Dr. Vetere was my advisor. She helped guide me in making

good decisions for my future. I had considered just doing

early childhood education, but I’m glad I kept the dual major

so that I had more options.

Two SRU faculty members that had a positive influence were

Dr. Dixon in the history department who taught me many

things about writing and the art of storytelling, and Dr. Mraz

who taught us how to make history come alive for our future

students through movement and creativity, in addition to

teaching me a few ways to tie a tie. 

 

4. What initially piqued your interest in pursuing a degree in

education? 

Honestly, I had my mind made up at 5 years-old, that I was

going to be a teacher. I love children, and I love helping them

learn by being a guide on the side. Over the years I’ve also

become very passionate about advocating for all students to

ensure they receive a quality education and that they’re able

to reach their full potential with someone believing in them.

Throughout school, I had teachers and coaches that pushed

and challenged me, and I wanted to be part of that process

for future generations. When we can get students to achieve

something they did not think they could, it is very rewarding. 

 

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

The most rewarding aspect of my job is getting to watch

students collaborate with one another and flourish. I love

making connections with the students and teachers and

watching new strategies help students.

When you work with a student and they grow to like school

and want you to share in their success, it makes all of the

effort you put in worthwhile. Also when you have former

students contact you and mention you had a positive impact

and were a factor in them becoming a teacher, that is

certainly gratifying. 

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

One of the most important characteristics of a great teacher

is to be a lifelong learner with a growth mindset. As a teacher,

you must continue to grow, continue to learn best practices as

new research comes out, and learn the latest technologies so

you can help your students thrive in a digital world. Another

quality of a great teacher is being flexible. Everything is not

going to go according to your plan and you’ve got to be able

to roll with it. Whether it’s a well planned lesson that students

just aren’t grasping, or the internet is down, you need to be

cool under pressure, and ready to change your plans. And of

course, loving your students and wanting them to succeed is a

must!

The recipe for a great teacher requires a few components.

First, a teacher must create relationships with their students

and find ways to support, motivate, and challenge them. Great

teachers constantly assess student progress and work with

their peers to find new strategies when needed. Great

teachers never stop learning and never give up on their

students.

Danielle Kepple

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

I graduated from Slippery Rock University in May 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a minor in Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities. I was a long term elementary instrumental and general music substitute in fall 2019. After that, I decided to take a step back from teaching and reevaluate my career. In fall 2020, I was asked to be a substitute teacher for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool in Chicora, PA. This ended up reigniting my passion for education. In November 2020, I took a short term instrumental and general music substitute job at Union Area High School in New Castle, PA. In January 2021, I began in my current position as the K-12 music instructor at Friendship Academy in Pittsburgh, PA. Currently, I am in my second semester of graduate studies at Slippery Rock University. I am pursuing a master's degree in Special Education with an emphasis on students from birth to grade 8. I am also pursuing a graduate endorsement in Autism.

 

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

In January 2019, myself and three of my colleagues had the opportunity to travel to Santa Fe, NM and teach in the Santa Fe Public Schools. We were accompanied by two of our music education professors, Dr. Jonathan Helmick and Dr. Kathleen Melago. In addition to our immersive field experience in the schools, we attended the New Mexico Music Educators Association conference, indulged in traditional cuisine, and partook in general sightseeing. I had been looking forward to this trip ever since I was in high school. In 2015, I saw an article in the Butler Eagle about students from the Slippery Rock University music department and their experiences in Santa Fe. I knew that I wanted to attend Slippery Rock University when I saw that was an opportunity available to music education students. The trip was a truly life changing experience that I will never forget.

 

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

This is such a tough question because all of the professors in the music department have had a positive influence on me in one way or another. However, if I had to pick one, I would choose Dr. Jonathan Helmick. He is, hands down, one of the most intelligent people that I have ever met in my life. Dr. Helmick truly cares about each one of his students. He goes out of his way to make sure that he is the best professor that he can be. Dr. Helmick was my applied conducting professor. In applied conducting lessons, we worked on all aspects of conducting an ensemble. The "big" project was to conduct a piece with the Slippery Rock University Concert Band. I had the biggest fear of conducting an ensemble, but Dr. Helmick helped me navigate the process and overcome my apprehensions. I was able to conduct Kentucky 1800 by Clare Grundman in the spring 2018 concert. I remember feeling so accomplished and proud of myself for jumping out of my comfort zone, and I owe it all to Dr. Helmick for believing in me and providing me with constant reassurance.

 

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

I have been fortunate enough to have several wonderful teachers over the course of my education. When I was 13 years old, I began taking private oboe lessons from a local music teacher named Kathie Groves, who also graduated from Slippery Rock University. She was such a role model for me during my formative years. She was patient, kind, and understanding. She always pushed me to be the best musician that I could possibly be. Kathie always gave me the confidence that I desperately needed during my teenage years. I try my best to emulate her positive and encouraging demeanor in my career. She was a huge influence in my decision to pursue a degree in education. 

 

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

The most rewarding aspect of my job at Friendship Academy is that I get to teach students about more than just music. Mental health is a huge priority at my school, and I am happy to help students navigate their experiences. I am an advocate for ending the stigma around mental health topics, and my position allows me to work towards that goal.

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

A great teacher is committed to a life of learning. For some, this may mean pursuing graduate studies. For others, it may involve attending conferences or reading about current topics in education. Great teachers must be aware of how education evolves over time and be willing to learn about it.