Isabella Rapone

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

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (PreK-4th) and Special Education (K-8th) from SRU. I also decided to add certifications for 5th and 6th grade Elementary Education, along with 9-12th grade Special Education to obtain a more diverse and attractable portfolio. I graduated from SRU May of 2021. I am currently in my second year of teaching at Farrell Area Elementary School. I am a PreK / K4 teacher for the district. 

 

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

I had many wonderful SRU experiences throughout my four years. I believe the different field placements throughout the years in many school districts propelled me towards becoming a more diverse and well-rounded teacher. The exposure to school districts such as, Mohawk, West Middlesex, Pittsburgh Public Schools, etc. allowed me to witness varying teaching styles, strategies, and instructional practices, which equipped me tremendously well to exceed in any given school district. 

 

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

I had been so privileged to learn from a plethora of wonderful professors at SRU. They all helped shape me into the teacher I am today. They were all caring, kind and truly aspired to help you develop as an educator. One professor in particular that truly had a positive influence on me was Dr. Rose. While her literacy classes were challenging, she helped me grow stronger as an educator in literacy and pushed each and every student she instructed towards reaching their highest potential.

 

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

Ever since I had been a young girl, I have always wanted to become a teacher. My first grade teacher represented my first professional inspiration, and she is still someone I consider a role model, due to her unconditional love for her student population. I had always wanted to be a teacher that students can trust and turn towards when they may not have anybody else. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

My most favorite thing about teaching is watching my students become genuinely excited to learn! The moment when a student truly understands and comprehends a concept that they have been working so hard at is what makes it all worth it. Additionally, I love the amazing classroom family that I build with my students each year. It is so true when you hear that each student you are given will be your student for life, long after they leave your classroom. The kids you are privileged to teach will truly hold a special place in your heart. 

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

I believe a great teacher is someone who possesses many different qualities. A great teacher must demonstrate kindness, empathy, understanding, flexibility, patience, and more. We, as teachers, have the opportunity to mold young minds and prepare them to excel in both societal and professional settings. This is a privileged opportunity, and one that requires a special combination of qualities. Being a teacher is one of the most meaningful jobs you can have and it is so worth it! 

 

Alexis Onestak

 

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

I hold a bachelor's degree with dual certification in Early Childhood PK-4 and Special Education PK-12. Before I had even graduated from SRU I was hired in December of 2021 as a full-time substitute teacher for the 5th and 6th Grade Learning Support Teacher at Shenango Elementary School while that teacher was on leave. Within that role, I took on all the responsibilities of the 5th and 6th Grade Learning Support Teacher. I remained a substitute teacher for the remainder of the 21-22 school year. Starting the 22-23 school year continuing my employment as a substitute at Shenango Elementary School, I have taught grades kindergarten through sixth with both regular and special education. 

 

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

My student teaching was definitely the best educational experience I had while at SRU. As soon as I walked into the doors of Shenango Elementary I was greeted with open arms and kindness towards the faculty. It helped that all the teachers there knew I was still learning. My cooperating teachers for both my regular education and special education placements have had at least 20+ years of experience and have shown me two very different teaching styles which has helped me to figure out what kind of teaching style I want and how I can incorporate it into my own teaching. I was pushed by my SRU supervisor and cooperating teachers to be the best I can be. They made it comfortable for me to ask questions and see what I can improve on. I built relationships and made friendships with every faculty member despite their role in the school and have seen experienced teachers of all grades and ages and what strategies work with different age groups of students. 

 

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

An SRU faculty member that has had a positive influence on me is Mrs. Diane Papa. Mrs. Papa was my student teaching supervisor and during that time is when I really got to work one on one with her. I was able to build a personal relationship with her and she saw my potential as a beginning teacher. I got to know her better as an educator who has had years of experience and taught me how education has changed over the years and continues to change. Mrs. Papa was very personable with me while student teaching and motivated me to self-reflect on my teaching. 

 

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

I was really close with my high school special education teacher. She was the one that directed me into education. It was my senior year of high school and she asked what I was going to major in and since I didn't know she steered me towards my high school's Life Skills classroom. All the kids there were nonverbal and had dysphagia. As soon as I walked through the door I saw how happy those kids were and what they were capable of despite having a disability. That moment is when I realized I wanted to pursue a degree in education. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

What I love most about teaching is meeting and building relationships with students! Letting students know that I care and want them to succeed while in the classroom is what teaching is all about! Creating a safe, welcoming environment for all students no matter where they come from is very important when teaching. I as the teacher can learn from students just as much as they can from me!

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

What I think makes a great teacher is being dedicated to that one specific goal that all teachers have which is wanting to see students succeed! Being encouraging, accepting, welcoming, and understanding towards each individual student helps build a personal relationship along with a classroom community with students! Not giving up on students shows dedication towards the students and as the teacher, I will not give up on them no matter what happens. 

Taylor Rand

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

I graduated from Slippery Rock spring of 2021. Last school year I was a long-term substitute teacher for cyber and in-person remediation grades 1-4 at Neshannock Township School District. This summer I was hired permanently as a High School special education teacher for Learning Support and Life Skills grades 7-12 within Neshannock Township School District! 

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

One experience that I will never forget from SRU was the TAP program. This program taught me the importance of building relationships and trust with my students to ensure success. I will never forget the 2 students I worked with and the impact that they made on me! 

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

Dr. Rose is the reason why I never gave up. At one point I was having some difficulty and was almost ready to give up and change my major. She pushed me to stay positive and to try again. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

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

When I was in high school I job shadowed a second-grade teacher at a neighboring school for a class project. I knew after that day that I wanted to be an educator and shape our youth. 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

What I love most about teaching is seeing how students think. It is fascinating to see and hear how they approach different concepts and scenarios. 

6. What makes a great teacher?

I believe that my communication skills are what make me a great teacher. At the beginning and end of each class, I try to check in with each student and let them know that I am there for them. 

 

Emy Gaston

1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held? Please include the current school district and grade/s.
 
I attended SRU majoring in Early Childhood Education and Special Education K-8. I had always loved working with kids and really wanted to help students who struggled with schooling to achieve their goals. I was fortunate enough to be placed for student teaching here in town at Slippery Rock Area Elementary, working in 4th grade learning support and 3rd-grade general education classrooms. I learned so much about classroom management, lesson planning, and making connections with my students from my amazing cooperating teachers. After graduation, I began working towards my master's degree in Special Education 7-12 at SRU. While finishing my degree, I was offered a long-term sub position at Slippery Rock Area High School as a learning support science teacher. I was hired on full-time after a year! This year, I am actually teaching the students I had in 4th-grade learning support as 9th graders!
 
2. Name one SRU experience, in general or specific to the field, that you will never forget and explain why.
 
While earning my master's at SRU, I had the opportunity to work as a Graduate Assistant for the College of Education. This experience was so crucial to my growth as a professional. I learned the parts of the job that are sometimes the hardest - How to write a professional email, communicate with other teachers, supervisors, etc. Building these skills simultaneously while working as a first-year teacher really helped me develop my professionalism.
 
3. Name an SRU faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.
 
The SRU Faculty member who had the biggest impact on me is Dr. Michelle McCollin. I was lucky enough to be in her classes for the entirety of my undergraduate education. From High Incidence Disabilities to Special Ed. Law, she fostered our love for the profession and gave us the tools to be amazing teachers. She always preached to us to put the student's needs first, and she always put us first.
 
4. What initially piqued your interest in pursuing a degree in education?
 
I come from a huge family with around 30 cousins, all ranging in age. I was always to "go-to" babysitter of the family. I grew up surrounded by children and loved caring for them as they grew. I also had a few teachers growing up that really made me want to get out of bed and come to school every day. I wanted to become one of those teachers that made school a safe and fun environment for kids. Little did I know that I would end up in a high school working with teenagers. While I was originally interested in early childhood, I wouldn't change it for the world. I get to support these students in some of the hardest times of their lives and make high school a safe space for them to learn.
 
5. What do you love most about teaching?
 
I love creating bonds with the students I have in my classroom. As a learning support teacher, you really have the opportunity and responsibility to get to know your students. You know their likes, dislikes, strengths, and needs. Oftentimes, my job isn't just to be their teacher. It's to be a smiling face or a listening ear. I love giving the students a "home away from home" and creating a safe, welcoming environment for them.
 
6. What makes a great teacher?
 
Great teachers care about their student's growth, well-being, and security, not just content learning. Great teachers meet their students where they are and cater teaching to their styles, rather than asking them to conform to their standards. Great teachers put their students first.