Jada Jacobs

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

My educational background began at Butler County Community College for my first two years of college. I then finished off at SRU for my last two years in Early Childhood and Special Education. Currently, I am obtaining my masters degree through SRU as a Reading Intervention Specialist. Last school year, I landed my first job as a 6-12th grade special education teacher at Sharpsville School District. Now, I am employed at Shenango School District as a K-6th grade Autistic Support teacher. 

 

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

SRU will always be memorable to me because of the support given by the professors in the education department. I have met so many professors that I look up to and truly considered friends by the time I left. They were always willing to go the extra mile and were some of the first people I called when I landed my first job. They have always wanted the best for all of us.

 

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

Diane Papa is hands down one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. From field experience to student teaching, whether I needed advice or just needed to talk, she was there. I am eternally grateful for the type of person, mentor and teacher she was to me for many years and still to this day.

 

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

I think having a position where you have the ability to truly help people is really something special. To have a chance to impact and support even one child is a gift. Helping children and young adults become who they are meant to be and supporting them in becoming their best selves is the only thing I could ever imagine myself doing.

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

Being a special education teacher has given me an amazing lens to look through. I have had the opportunity to work with students in grades K-12 in just a little over a year. I love the chance to get to know each student as a person, as a learner, as someone’s family and as a member of society. The joy I get in being able to celebrate my students is what it’s all about. Being a constant in their lives is the best part about my job.

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

“And if those children are unresponsive, maybe you can’t teach them yet, but you can love them. And if you love them today, maybe you can teach them tomorrow.” - Jeffrey R. Holland 

Emily Hoffman

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 University in the spring of 2021. I have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education (Pre-k-4th) and a minor in special education. I was grateful to have landed a full-time 3rd-grade teaching position at Cabarrus county public schools in North Carolina right out of college. I am still currently at the same school/district, and I still teach 3rd grade and I absolutely LOVE it! 

 

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

My favorite SRU experience was definitely my student-teaching experience! My first placement was in a 4th-grade classroom. I was super nervous at first because I didn’t think that I would like 4th grade, and I had always pictured myself in kindergarten or first grade. However, I had an amazing cooperating teacher who used whole-brain teaching and taught me everything I know today! I took in all that she had taught me and I use almost all of the same things she used in her classroom in my current classroom. Because of her, I was able to introduce whole-brain teaching to my school and teach other teachers (even veterans) how to implement it in their classrooms! I also realized that I loved 4th grade, and I love teaching 3rd grade even more!! Upper elementary is more of my jam now, so shoutout to all the kindergarten/first-grade teachers! I don’t think I could turn back now! 

 

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

Dr. Tours was my field supervisor and she was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout my student-teaching experience! She was very understanding and calm when halfway through student teaching we had to go completely virtual, and she reassured us that everything was going to be okay! She also made sure that we were doing some form of self-care while student teaching because it can get stressful at times, and she always wanted to put ourselves first so we could be the best version of ourselves for our students. I loved her classes and I really learned a lot from her! 

 

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

I originally was a dance major at SRU at first, but I knew that if I wasn’t going to continue to dance that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. So many of my teachers (specifically from my elementary school years) have inspired me and made such an impact on my life, and I knew that that’s what I wanted to do for my future students. I’ve always loved working with kids when I would volunteer for Vacation Bible School, and you can make learning so much fun for them!

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

What I love most about teaching is seeing how engaged my students are when using whole-brain teaching! They love repeating things back to me and doing gestures that go with what they’re saying and it makes me so happy! I also love seeing them grow from the beginning of the year to the end of the year and knowing how far they came. Most importantly, I love the kids! I love building relationships with my students and really getting to know them and seeing all of their little personalities come out throughout the year! 

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

Being able to take time to care for yourself is what makes a great teacher. You need that work-life balance! If you are not feeling 100% you can’t give 100% to your students. Self-care is everything! If you want students to succeed and are determined to patiently help/teach them while also showing kindness and never giving up on them, then that’s a great teacher!  

 

I also have a teacher Instagram @missemilyelementary if other SRU students/Alumni would like to follow/learn more about whole-brain teaching! 

 

Kevin Linza

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

I recently took a position teaching Heath and Physical Education at Seneca High School in Erie County. Prior to this, I taught in Virginia for 11 years.  I am dual certified and taught Social Studies for 7 years and have been teaching PE for the last 5 years. I also coached basketball, football and tennis during my teaching career. 

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

I would have to say the overall SRU experience is what makes this university so special. The professors, my peers who I took classes with, extracurriculars, and things like the “happy bus” are all things that I will never forget.

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

There were two professors that I feel really helped me along the way and formed a relationship with. Dr. David Dixon, who passed in 2008, was an amazing history professor. We would always have a morning chat before heading into class. Also, Dr. John Hicks was always there to help when it came to the College of Education. 

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

The teachers and coaches that had a positive impact on my life during high school made me want to do the same thing for others. I started as a Sport Management major and made the switch to education after the first semester because I knew I wanted to have an impact on others. 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love building relationships with my students and serving as a positive role model. 

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

Someone who cares about the success of the students, knows how to motivate others, and is a positive member of the school community. 

Cheyenne Meyers

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 in May 2022 with a degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and International Education. Right after graduation I started subbing for Pittsburgh Public Schools and got to work with children in grades k-12 In the special education department. I am Currently working at City Charter High school as a 10th grade Learning Support Teacher and I have loved every minute of it! 

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

One experience I will never forget was when covid hit hard and the university had to switch to online. During this time, we were going into observations and it was the most confusing time as to how we were going to be able to work with students. The professors were amazing at setting up virtual experiences for us and we’re so supportive during this time, it made college during covid a lot less stressful. 

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

Dr. Lynch was the best advisor, as well as the best professor that Slippery Rock has. I had a lot of bumps in the road during my college years and there was never a time he turned away from offering advice, or being the support I needed. I never would have imagined I’d have someone like him in my corner and he stuck through it! My goal from day one was to get through all the hard times and make it out on top, and the day of our last class and hearing from him “You did it!”, was the icing on top of the cake. Thanks Dr. Lynch for everything. 

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

I have always wanted to be an educator ever since I was a child. I was in a teaching magnet program in high school that pushed me to pursue education at Slippery Rock. I was convinced I would be a 2nd grade teacher until I fell in love with Special Education and decided to dual major. I remember my days in school and the teachers that were genuine and cared about my education just as much as I did. There is never a day I question my decision of becoming a teacher!  

5. What do you love most about teaching?

What I love most about teaching is seeing students who feel that they aren’t talented enough to do a task or smart enough to understand a concept excel at the subject and prove themselves wrong. I love being the person to create that relationship to push my students to the best of their ability, but also challenge them. Whether it’s teaching a kindergartner how to identify numbers 0-30, or a 10th grader how to identify different property rules in math, it’s a reward at the end of each day. 

6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is someone who understands their students and goes above and beyond. It’s someone who works with their staff and admin by bringing ideas that will benefit everyone as a whole. A great teacher is someone who will take the time and show their students they care. Being great doesn’t come over night, so being able to grow and improve while having the mindset of going into each school day differently is what makes a great teacher. 

Hannah Muth

 

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

My educational background is in Secondary Education English. I am currently receiving my Master's Degree in Reading and Literacy Education from Duquesne University. I was a Long-Term Substitute in 8th and 6th grade English Language Arts at Saint Kilian Parish School, and this year I am a full time 6th Grade English Language Arts teacher at Saint Kilian Parish School. I love working with the faculty and students at SKPS!

 

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

An SRU experience I will never forget is traveling to Stratford, Ontario for my summer Shakespeare class. The class was led by Professor Tim Oldakowski. I am so glad that SRU offered this class. I took the course with a few of my friends in the English department. After studying and discussing Shakespeare's greatest works for a month, our class traveled to Stratford to attend the Shakespeare festival. We saw the plays we read about come to life! We even got a behind the scenes tour of the costume department and one of the theaters. Good food and even better company made the trip an incredible experience.

 

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

An SRU faculty member that had a positive impact on me was Dr. John Hicks. In addition to being one of my professors, Dr. Hicks was my advisor. He went above and beyond to make sure my educational needs were met. I'm sure every student knows that figuring out your schedule (especially senior year) is stressful. Even when there seemed to be hiccups with my scheduling, Dr. Hicks always took the time to help me figure everything out. Dr. Hicks did a great job of creating an environment of comfort and respect with his students.

 

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

I initially wanted to go into education because I wanted a job where I could help children. My love for reading made the decision to go for English Education a pretty easy choice. Once I started my education classes at SRU, I knew I was at the right place.

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

My favorite part about teaching is seeing my student's enthusiasm for what they are learning. During my student teaching, I was fortunate to have a wonderful co-op teacher. She did a great job sharing her passion for English Literature with her students and she helped me design lessons that were intriguing for our students. Teaching is a difficult job, but those "aha" moments or times when students are really into the material that I am teaching make it all worth it. I taught Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief last year, and my students were so enthralled by the characters and the Greek mythology world. That unit was a win for me!

 

6. What makes a great teacher? 

This may seem basic, but a great teacher is one who cares about their students. The best advice I got when I started teaching was to just show the kids that I cared. You don't have to know everything about your subject and teaching to be a good teacher. If you show your students that you care about them and your subject, you'll do just fine.