Barbara Haybarger

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

* Slippery Rock Undergrad - December 1997 - BS Ed. Health and Physical Education K-12 with a minor in Adapted physical activity and an emphasis in aquatics (which became the minor program shortly after I graduated)

* Masters in Curriculum and Development from Gannon University 2005

* Equivalent to a doctorate degree with post-grad credits earned through Loyola Marymount University and Greenville University

* PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer since 2001

* American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer

* American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor

* Strong Nation Instructor

 

Currently I am teaching Middle School (grades 6/7/8) Health/Physical Education and Aquatics in the Franklin Regional School District in Murrysville, PA.  I was hired here in Summer of 1998.  I've taught at the elementary level and at the high school level as well.  I've been in my current position for 23 years.

 

I was general manager and scuba instructor for Ocean Odyssey Dive Center in Cranberry Township from 1998 to 2002.

 

I was general manager and scuba instructor for Underwater Adventures Dive Center in Greensburg, PA from 2002-2005

 

Scuba Instructor for Underwater Excursions in Beaver Falls, PA  from 2006 to 2010.

 

Scuba Instructor for The Scuba Shop in Chippewa, PA from 2010 to 2015.

 

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

My whole experience at SRU has had some impact upon my life. With the great education I received, I have landed the ideal job in a great school district. With some of my aquatics background that I gained at SRU, I have traveled to several countries and have done some amazing scuba diving (Lake Erie Wreck Diving, Underwater Cave Diving in Florida and Mexico, Wreck Diving in Aruba, Mesoamerican Reef in Belize and Honduras). I met my husband in the old university union (we've been together 27 years, married 18 years).  

 

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

I had the pleasure of being influenced by many great instructors while at SRU. The different styles of teaching and the different components of information that were shared with me all gave me a great experience while at SRU. The person/teacher that I am today is based upon all of the influence that was bestowed upon me. I was able to take components and information from everyone and develop my own style.

 

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

I had a wonderful PE teacher in high school (Donna Hazlett - SRU '68) who helped me get through the rough years of high school. I remember talking to her and realizing how much she enjoyed her job and how much of an influence she had on students since she got to see most of the student body every year. She always encouraged me to do and be my best.  

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I enjoy introducing students to something new that they have never tried before and watching them learn the basics and ultimately figuring out that they are better at something than they thought. Also, I love the middle school age because this is a huge change for everyone as they try to figure out who they are and what they are capable of doing. There is such a huge change in a kid from the time I meet them in sixth grade until they leave the building in 8th grade. It is amazing to watch the transformation.  

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

Having the ability to: wear many hats all at the same time, to predict the future, to juggle multiple things going on at the same time, to be caring and compassionate, to be a communicator, to have empathy and patience, to be engaging while setting high expectations, to create a sense of community/belonging, and to be continuously engaging in their own learning to continue their own personal development.

Brooklyn McCaskill

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

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Level Math Education in May 2020. During my time in college, I was Secretary for SEFE Club, Social Media Chair for CMLA, and Corresponding Secretary for Gamma Sigma Sigma. I currently teach Algebra 1 for Culpeper County Public Schools in Culpeper, Virginia.

 

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

I had the opportunity to travel abroad to Mexico for 10 days and the experience was amazing. It was my first time getting to travel outside of the country, and I had the chance to practice my Spanish-speaking skills.

 

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

This is a really hard question because many professors at SRU have helped me become the teacher and person I am today. If I had to choose, I’d say Dr. Jason Hilton and Dr. Christine Pease-Hernandez. Dr. Hilton has so much wisdom and knowledge, and you always leave a conversation with him wiser than you were before talking to him. I took Intercultural Communications during the Spring 2019 semester and Dr. Pease-Hernandez taught me the importance and the power of my voice and to not be afraid to speak up. She taught me the significance of communication that I use to this day: inside and outside of the classroom setting.

 

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

My interest in becoming a teacher started when I was in elementary school. My 3rd grade teacher at Barrett Elementary was Mrs. Ambrozic. She made me love going to school and I never wanted to miss a day! I told myself “When I grow up, I want to be just like her!”. For 5th grade Language Arts, I had Mr. Manns and he was always so nice to everyone and very patient. Language Arts was not my favorite subject because I had trouble with reading comprehension, but he taught the reading portion of the class in a way where I felt empowered and confident in my abilities to do my classwork. When I was a senior at Gateway High School, having both Mrs. Barkey for AP Statistics and Mr. Santilli for Consumer Math solidified my decision to pursue a degree in education!

 

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

While there are many rewarding aspects, if I had to choose one I’d say watching how much students grow over time. Students are not the same person they were from the first day of school to the last, or anywhere in between. Yes, students grow so much in their knowledge when it comes to academics and learning content, but also their self-awareness, maturity, how they handle interpersonal conflict, and so much more. Growth isn’t a linear journey, but students do grow in more ways than one.

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

While everyone brings their own strength, specialties, and uniqueness to the classroom, I believe a great teacher is someone who shows through their actions that they care about students, and knows how to adapt to different situations as they happen.

Luke Barnes

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

I graduated from SRU with an undergraduate degree in Music Education PreK-12. I held 2 long term music substitute positions: one at Shaler Area School District, and the other at Seneca Valley School District teaching grades 4th-6th in both. I currently work at Commonwealth Charter Academy as a highschool music teacher.

 

2. Name one SRU experience that you will never forget and explain why.

One experience I had at SRU that I will never forget is playing in the Jazz band and Wind Ensemble on the Music Department Tour(s).

 

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

A faculty member that had a positive influence on me is Dr. Kush; even if you had a bad day playing, or are going through a rough patch, he always believed in you and gave you a chance to prove yourself. It was always nice to have someone pushing you to get better and know they are rooting for you.

 

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

I was inspired by my high school and middle school music teachers Mr. Matchett, Mr. Armstrong, and Mr. Babick to go into music education. They gave me a great experience all throughout my middle school and highschool years and I want to pass that on to my students.

 

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

The most rewarding part of my job has been being able to work with several other music teachers to make the best experience possible for our students. I started at CCA around when the music program started, so being able to help build the program from the beginning has been very rewarding.

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

I always say that flexibility makes a great teacher. Lessons are not always going to go just as you planned. A great teacher can take any scenario, and teach a valuable life lesson from it. No matter what class it is or what happens in the classroom, a great teacher can give the students something to take into their everyday life.