Stephanie Snyder

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

I graduated with my B.S in Education with my teaching license in PreK-4 and Special Ed K-8, I also earned my first Master's degree in Special Education with an Emphasis in Autism in 2019. I am currently pursuing a second Master's in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. I am hoping to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst when I complete this program. With my degrees, I have worked as a Behavioral Consultant (BC) and a School Based Therapeutic Service Coordinator. During my time as a BC, I worked with children ages 4 through 14 with a range of disabilities such as ADHD, ASD, Bipolar, and OCD. I currently work with the Pittsburgh Public School District with middle and high school students.  

 

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

The professional semester for SPED was the highlight of my undergraduate degree! There was so much information that would allow me to help my kiddos inside and outside the classroom. Pro-Sem also introduced me to my passion, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I always wanted to focus on the special education side of my degree, and this felt like my moment to soak up a large amount of information. 

 

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

Dr. Lynch and Dr. Bieniek. Though he was not my advisor, Dr. Lynch gave me some of the most helpful advice and encouraging feedback. For a time, I thought I was in the wrong field. During that time, Dr. Lynch's feedback on assignments reminded me that I was exactly where I needed to be. Dr. Bieniek exposed me to my passion for ABA. He has a great way of taking complicated topics and breaking them down into everyday scenarios that we go through. Dr. Bieniek has helped me shape my mind to look at behavioral scenarios through a different lens. Both Dr. Lynch and Dr. Bieniek challenged me academically and that is why they had such a positive influence on me. 

 

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

I distinctly remember this moment like it happened yesterday. I was in 8th grade, and I absolutely hated recess. Instead of going outside, I had the option of tutoring math to 5th grade students and helping kindergarteners recognize and correctly pronounce alphabet sounds. I ate my lunch so fast and eagerly went to help the younger students. That is when I knew I wanted to be in education. However, after going through my undergraduate degree, I quickly realized that I wanted to shift my focus from academic teaching to behavioral teaching. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching? 

This is such a tough question! I would say that the thing I love the most about teaching is the confidence students have when they approach me with problems they are facing. Being a student in an inner-city high school comes with its own set of difficulties, but these students display immense amounts of courage. It can be very daunting to bring personal issues forward to someone else, but the students I work with every day continue to overcome obstacles and request help when they are stuck. 

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

A great teacher realizes that students have to Maslow before they Bloom, meaning that teachers are ensuring that the student's basic needs are being met before they attempt to apply academics. We are currently in a place where mental health needs are at an all-time high. Until those needs are addressed, our students will have a difficult time reaching their fullest potential. A great teacher also develops meaningful relationships with their students while creating, maintaining, and teaching them boundaries. And of course, shower them with love, support, and encouragement.

Kate Rauenzahn

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

I have my Bachelors in Physical and Health Education-Physical Activity and Fitness Management and Masters in Special Education- Applied Behavior Analysis from SRU. Since I graduated with my undergrad from SRU, I have worked mostly in the mental and behavioral health field in alternative education settings. I continued my education online with SRU as I was working full time. Currently, I am a manager for a not-for-profit organization, YWCA Tri-County Area in Pottstown, PA, in the Youth Empowerment Programs department. My position has 2 main components: I facilitate a program called Children Health and Movement Program Series at YW3CA’s Early Education and for outside child care centers as well. I also oversee and facilitate social-emotional programming that we provide at local school districts for girls in 1st-8th grades, and leadership/mentorship programs for girls 9-12th grades and young women 18-25 years old.

 

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

I remember my freshman year, it was my first semester at SRU as an undergrad. I was in Dr. Isherwood’s Low Incidence Disabilities class. I remember when he would share professional experiences and the clients he was working with in behavioral support classrooms. All of his stories really had an impact on me. I was very interested in the content as well. But when he shared his stories, I remember sitting in his class thinking “That is it. That is what I want to do.”

 

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

This is a really hard question. All the faculty in the PE department were so helpful and so influential in my education. Their passion for the field and education is amazing. If I had to choose 1, it would probably be Dr. Leight because she was so involved in everything in the department, and still took the time to get to know us as students. Even with her busy schedule, she was always there for me whenever I needed something related to my degree, whether it was a question, class substitution, or reference letter. I think it really speaks highly to someone’s character when they can be so successful in their field and in their own career, and still take the time to make personal connections with their students, and be a leader and a mentor.

 

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

I have always been really passionate about my own education and I wanted to help others find their way through their educational journey. I know that not every student likes school and not every student likes every class. I wanted to become an educational professional that would be able to help students understand that it is okay to not love it, but it was still important for them to do their best and view it as a more positive experience.

 

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

Getting to work with a variety of students. I love my job because it is the best of every world. I get to work with all ages, and I get to work in the two fields I am really passionate about: mental/behavioral health and wellness/movement!

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

I think what makes a great teacher is the combination of two things: having structure and high expectations and knowing when to bend and be flexible for the youth you are serving. I have found in my own practice and of the mentors I have worked with, that students thrive best when they have set expectations, but their educators are willing to listen and be open-minded.

Jade Ferneza

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

I graduated from SRU in December 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education, and graduated in July 2020 with a Master’s in Special Education and an endorsement in Autism. Throughout college, I worked as a special education assistant and paraprofessional in numerous schools and settings. I also worked as a music teacher through SRU’s Music Education program and various areas around Pittsburgh. Since July 2020, I have been working as a Behavior Support Teacher (grades 6-8) at Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Wasilla, AK.

 

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

While attending SRU, my music student teaching experience will always stand out as a pivotal point in my career. I worked in Butler School District with Mrs. Carrie Persichini in a school that serves students with emotional-behavioral disorders. This placement fueled my passion for working with students with EBD. I am very grateful to Mrs. Persichini and the other teachers at Center Ave. who welcomed me and continued to guide me as I began in the field of special education. 

 

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

Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich gave me an incredible amount of support throughout college. She is an amazing educator and person. I am grateful for the numerous experiences within the elementary music field. I grew as a person and teacher under her guidance. I would not be the educator I am today without her! 

 

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

For as long as I can remember, I have always desired to be an educator. My interest in education continued to grow with the opportunities I had in high school. I was a teaching assistant for my band director and loved working with elementary students beginning band. During this time, I had my first experiences working with students with disabilities and making accommodations in the music classroom. 

 

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

The most rewarding aspect of my job is hearing students repeat the things I teach, like growth mindset, when they don’t think I’m listening. I love to hear them say it’s okay to make mistakes! 

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

A great teacher is imperfect and can admit their mistakes. They follow through for their students and give grace. A great teacher remembers that every day is a new day and sets a positive example. Their students know they care!