Stephanie Magnotto

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held? Please include current school district and grade/s.

I graduated from SRU in December 2011 with a double major in elementary education (K-6) and secondary education (7-12) as well as a minor in exceptionalities. My secondary education focus was in history and social studies. I was hired by Slippery Rock Area School District as a 5th grade teacher in August of 2012. Since then, I have obtained my Masters in Grades K-8 Math & Science and certifications for mid-level math and ELA. After my first year of teaching, I moved to the middle school and have been there since! Currently, I teach multiple levels of 6th and 7th grade math.

 

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

 

I will never forget my early field experiences. They were the first times that I experienced a classroom from the perspective of a teacher. I worked with my classmates to produce meaningful and interactive learning opportunities. We taught science lessons on pill bugs, created hands-on math lessons and tutored students that needed extra help. It was the first time that I was challenged to see beyond a lesson plan and adapt to the needs of the students. I will forever be grateful for those short amounts of time that I had during field. They allowed me to grow, fail and grow some more as a teacher.

 

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

 

There were many members of the SRU faculty that had a positive impact on my experience. Dr. Marilyn Yensick was my advisor and truly changed my outlook on teaching. She encouraged me to create a path that was unique to me, supported my goals and worked hard to give me the best education possible. I have no doubt that her techniques are visible within my classroom. If it weren't for her guidance, I do not think that I would be the teacher I am today. 

 

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

 

I come from a family of educators and, as a result, grew up surrounded by so many influential teachers. I have always loved going to school and learning. I knew from a young age that I would be a teacher someday. My mom is the most impactful person in my life. Going to her classroom as a young girl fueled my dreams of someday having my own. When it came time to plan my future, SRU was my only choice. I knew it was the best place to become the best teacher!

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

 

There are a lot of things that I like about teaching, but the thing I love the most is the "back to school" feeling that comes to me every August. It is the anticipation of getting new class lists and working hard to prepare a productive learning environment. I love setting the scene for the year and meeting the strangers that will turn into my forever students. I eagerly wait for the challenge to create hard workers that support one another and always do their best to be their best. All of that happens in August. We are all a bit nervous, but we all have a common goal of success, and I absolutely love the challenge of meeting it every year.

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

 

A great teacher is a teacher that is able to be exactly what a student needs, when the student needs it. Sometimes that's a role model, sometimes it's just a listener. A good teacher can deliver a flawless lesson, but a great teacher can deliver the lesson AND leave a positive, life-long impression on their students. It's a daunting task to be a great teacher, but it's a task worth trying everyday.

Lauren Hines

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held? Please include your current school district and grade/s.

Educational background includes BS Health & Physical Education K-12/ Exercise Physiology-SRU 1983-1987.  Prior to starting my teaching career, I worked as the Assistant Fitness Director at AT&T Headquarters, Bedminster, NJ. I moved to GA and began my teaching career. I taught a total of 30 years in the Cobb County School District, Marietta, GA  (1989-2019). I am currently retired (2019).   My positions held were Elementary Physical Education teacher (K-5)-4 years; Middle School Health (8th), PE (6th & 7th), Subject Area Coordinator/Scheduler, Health Curriculum Standards Committee-13 years; High School Health & Personal Fitness Teacher (9th-12th)-13 years; Coached-Volleyball, Track & Field, Girls Basketball, Girls Golf.

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

Nominated and selected as one of the Maree McKay Education Scholarship recipients and member of Phi Epsilon Kappa (Honorary Fraternity for Health and Physical Education).  These accomplishments were memorable because it helped validate the hard work and dedication I put towards my studies and future in the field.

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

After taking an Adaptive Physical Education class and meeting Dr. David Auxter, I became interested in the field and began some research work with him. He was a brilliant man and a huge mentor.   Over time I was able to work on a new textbook edition of his to be published. The most memorable experience was being co-author of a study with Dr. Auxter-  “Training Teachers of the Handicapped through a Competency Based Format to Instruct Motor Skills”, Resources in Education, ERIC Clearinghouse, June 1985.

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

As long as I can remember I wanted to pursue a degree in education because I had the best role models ever- my mother and father!  Both were educators receiving their Physical Education degree from Panzer Normal College (Montclair State University) and later moving into the fields of Early Childhood Education (mother) and Science (father). 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

At all levels, I truly love the unconditional smiles of the students everyday.  Other major rewards of teaching was having a great team of teachers to work with and building relationships with the students-it's always nice when former students come back to check in/keep in touch. when they performed well and accomplished

6. What makes a great teacher? 

The main thing that makes a good teacher is making sure the students know you care and build their confidence.  Other qualities are to be consistent yet flexible, model respect, be compassionate, and a good communicator.  Lastly develop your style of teaching and stick to it!!

 

Ali Doyle

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held? Please include current school district and grade/s.

I graduated from SRU in 2014 with a degree in Middle Level Math Education. I then went on to get my Masters from UVA in Curriculum and Instruction. I’ve taught math in 6,7, and 8th grades over the course of my career. I am currently an Instructional Coach and 8th grade math teacher in Denver, CO. 

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

One of the best parts about my time at SRU was working at the ARC. We always had so much fun and some of my co-workers became my life long best friends. 

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

Dr. Jason Hilton was so relatable and able to pull his own teaching experience into the classroom in order to help us see what teaching was going to be like. My cohort only had about 8 students in it at the time so we were able to have great discussions in his class and ask questions that he gave in depth answers to. 

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

I think it was having amazing teachers in first and fifth grade. They made school fun and enjoyable and that’s always my goal for my students.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love that every day is different and interesting. Teaching middle school, there is never a dull moment. I love this age group because of their humor, quirkiness, and curiosity. I love coming up with awesome lessons that put smiles on their faces and most of all I love when they walk out of my class at the end of the year saying that they now like math. 

6. What makes a great teacher?

Being able to build relationships with your students and bringing joy into the classroom is what makes a great teacher. The teachers I remember most made school enjoyable, I don’t remember what I learned in middle school math but I do remember the teachers that cared and made me want to go to school.