Hannah Ferrara

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

I received my high school diploma from Hershey High School in 2016. Following high school, I attended Slippery Rock University and majored in Secondary English Education. During my time at Slippery Rock, I taught summer school at Annville Elementary for 3rd grade and was also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi and Order of Omega. In 2020, I graduated with my Bachelor's of Science in Education and became a daily substitute teacher at Hershey Middle School. While I was working one day, I received a call about a long-term substitute position at Donegal High School in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. I came to Donegal, eventually received a full time position, and have been here ever since. Currently I teach 9th/10th grade Sci-Fi and Horror, 11th/12th grade Journalism, and 9th grade Writing Seminar. In addition to teaching, I serve as an advisor for two clubs: Link Crew and Student Council. I also just finished up my master's degree in Secondary English Education at Slippery Rock in July.

 

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

One SRU experience that I will never forget was when my student teaching experience at Shenango High School was cut short due to COVID-19. Luckily, I was able to teach in person with my awesome co-op for a few months before the world shut down in March. I will never forget this experience because it was unsettling not knowing what would happen next and was extremely difficult to understand or even know what direction education would take. 

 

Despite these negative feelings, the entire situation taught me so many incredible lessons. For instance, I learned about a plethora of different online tools that I continue to use today. I learned how to be flexible and how to adapt to situations that are out of my control (something that happens every day in the classroom). I also learned how to accommodate; whether it was differentiating a lesson online or giving a student a brain break, I learned that each student has independent needs. This was a learning experience that made me realize there will always be changes and will always be something new in education; that is what makes teaching so awesome! 

 

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

It is extremely hard to pick one faculty member who had a positive influence on me. Dr. Permenter, Dr. Covey, Dr. Pitard, Dr. Oldakowski, and Dr. Hogue, have all shaped me into the teacher I am today. They inspired my love for literature, encouraged me to use my voice and speak up, and motivated me to get good grades and succeed.

 

Dr. Hicks has had the greatest influence on me, though. He was my advisor as well as my professor for many of my undergraduate and graduate classes. He was an incredible support system and was an even better professor; he made it look easy. I aspired to have his confidence and laid-back demeanor while teaching. He influenced me to build strong relationships with my students first before diving into content. I will always remember his classes and what they taught me.

 

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

To be honest, whenever I was a freshman at Slippery Rock I was an Athletic Training major. I knew that I wanted to be around high school kids and interact with them on a regular basis; however, I thought that Athletic Training would be the best way for me to do that. I ended up hating Athletic Training, specifically anatomy (I did not do too well), and switched to become a General Education major. I took a few classes that I thought I would be interested in. Once I took Introduction to Education, though, I instantly fell in love. I switched my major right away and chose English as my concentration. I have 0 regrets and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

In this amazing job, I am able to: 

-Be my true, energetic self each and every day (and have fun!)

-Get to know my students and build relationships with them. 

-Learn something new, whether it is from a colleague, a student, or from Googling a question that was asked.

-Be creative with the content and make my very own materials. 

-Teach real life lessons and have discussions that the students take to heart. 

 

Teaching is a lot and it is certainly not easy. Because it is so challenging, it is so much more rewarding when you have that moment that clicks for you and your students. You take a look around and you feel everything you have accomplished - you have a classroom of your own and a group of students who are there to hear what you have to say. It is exhausting, but I could not imagine my life any other way.

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

I consider a great teacher to be someone who prioritizes building relationships over content, someone who is genuinely interested and excited to teach the content that they are teaching, and someone who does not know the answer to everything. A great teacher also sets boundaries for themselves - a very important concept to have a healthy work-life balance and to avoid burnout. Teachers who TikTok are also great, so, follow my teacher TikTok - @missferrarasroom :)

 

Samuel Bartley

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

I graduated in May of 1983, with a BA in communication and a teaching certificate. Retiring from the Pine-Richland School District, I worked with 4th, 5th, and 6th graders.

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

I had a leading role in Miller Auditorium in the musical, Cabaret.  Being only a freshman, it was overwhelming! 

 

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

During my 4 years at SRU, I had the opportunity to study private voice full-time with Dr. Chester T. O'Bannon.  Although I was not a music major, he provided a rich genre of music for me to learn and perform.  While studying with Dr. O'Bannon, he introduced me to American Primadonna mezzo soprano, Mildred Miller and reacquainted me to Verdi mezzo soprano, Marianne Cornetti! I still stay in touch with "Doc", Millie Miller, and Marianne Cornetti.  By the way Mildred Miller will turn 99 in December.  The experience was awesome!

 

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

I pursued a degree in education because I enjoyed my experience as a student and wanted to enjoy a career working with young people in a school setting.  

 

5. What do you love most about teaching? 

Although retired, I enjoyed presenting a wide variety of educational materials and topics.  I worked with students on almost every grade level including kindergarten!

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is a positive role model who exudes much patience, energy, creativity, and engaging lessons and experiences.

Emily Lebron

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

I am currently in my fourth year of teaching 9th and 10th grade English at my alma mater - Greater Johnstown High School. I work with the Key Club, Pep Club, and previously coached Jr. High Volleyball for two years. Prior to this, I was long-term subbing at New Castle Area School District.

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

Meeting my group of teacher friends (Dr. Hicks nicknamed us The Fab 5) is something I’ll forever be thankful to SRU for. We still keep in contact to this day and regularly rely on each other for support and ideas.

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

There are so many incredible professors that impacted me, but I’ll forever be in debt to Dr. Permenter, Dr. Hicks, and T.O.! They’ve helped me and inspired me in more ways than one - and hopefully I can give back to my students the way they did for me.

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

Honestly, I always loved school and my English teachers in high school were some very influential people in my life. So, I wanted to keep doing something that I already loved and enjoyed. 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love getting to build relationships with the kids. It’s the best part of the job - and getting to see them graduate and go on to be young adults makes my heart so happy. 

6. What makes a great teacher?

I think a great teacher is someone who is kind and remembers that the kids are young adults that are still learning and growing. It’s also equally important to be a constant advocate for the betterment of the kids. 

 

Sarah Henshaw

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

I graduated SRU with my bachelor's degree in early childhood education PreK-4 in 2018. Since then, I was hired as an Instructional Aide at Western Beaver in the PreK classroom. I was in PreK for 4 years and this year I was hired as the Elementary School Librarian also at Western Beaver. 

 

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

One SRU experience that I will never forget is from Dr. Snyder's class. He dressed up as a dog and we arranged cards for him to follow to get from his "home" to the "bone". I will never forget that class in general because It gave me the tools I needed to add science into many of the lessons I have taught since graduation.  

 

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

Dr. Snyder. He was my student teaching advisor and gave me great advice on my lessons and was a great mentor throughout my student teaching experiences. 

 

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

I have wanted to be an educator for as long as I can remember. I love children and have always taken an interest in school and how children learn and grow through education. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love the light bulb moment a student has once they have grasped a concept we have been working on. Having a positive experience in a child's life is such a blessing. I love helping students reach their full potential and thrive in a welcoming and safe environment of the classroom. Seeing that moment is my why. 

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher is one that cares more about the students as a whole. I have had many students where school is their safe place. A great teacher sees that and ensures that the students' needs are met, and they are getting more than just an education but also feel seen, heard, and loved. 

Grant Pavlik

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

I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock University in May 2017 where I dual majored in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I then completed my master's degree in August 2021 in education at the University of Kansas with a focus in High Incidence Disabilities. I currently am licensed in the state of Virginia to teach Elementary Education pre-k through 6, Special Education K through 12, and Career and Technical Education 6 through 12.  I taught at Landstown Elementary School as a Special Education Teacher working in grades 3-5 for 5 years, I also served as a PBIS Coach at the school, and a mentor teacher for first year Special Education Teachers.  I then taught Career and Technical Education at Floyd B. Kellam High School.  Both schools were part of the Virginia Beach City Public School division.  I currently am a Education Support Navigator for the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation working in the Children's Cancer and Blood Disorder's Center at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. This is a brand-new position funded by the Virginia Department of Health.  Myself and 4 other Education Support Navigators across the state of Virginia support survivors of pediatric cancer and those currently battling cancer.  We work with their family and school systems to ensure they are receiving the appropriate support and instruction they need while receiving treatment and when they are able to return to school.  We assist with the creation of 504 plans, IEPs, and medical plans and educate school staff on each individual child's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and potential late effects/side effects that may impact them as they return to school.  

 

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

My entire experience in the College of Education at Slippery Rock was unbelievable.  It is hard to narrow down any one experience.  I would have to choose my field experiences, practicums, and student teaching experiences and the feedback I received from my supervisors during these.  I truly believe these experiences prepared me to be a great teacher and made me confident I was ready to have my own classroom when I left SRU.  I also have to say that I will never forget my classmates and professors that I met and worked with during my time at SRU, no matter where we are all now, I always felt like they were all a part of my extended family.  

 

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

First, I have to say that I believe the College of Education has to have some of the best professors/mentors in the entire state if not the country.  I don't recall a single bad experience I had in any class or with any professor.  It is truly difficult to choose just one faculty member that had a positive influence on me because there were so many.  If I HAD to choose one it would have to be Dr. Eric Bieniek. Not only was Dr. Bieniek an amazing professor, but I was extremely fortunate to have him as my advisor as well.  Dr. Bieniek was always compassionate about his field, he was/is a great role model, and was always available to give a helping hand or lend some much-needed constructive feedback.  Dr. Bieniek was a large reason I chose to pursue special education as my career path over general education and also a huge reason I was compassionate about helping students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. 

 

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

I always had an interest in pursuing education as a career.  I loved my elementary teachers, and they all inspired me to want to pursue a career in elementary education.  My field experiences, Special Education professors, and my time volunteering with the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania inspired me to focus my career on helping children with special needs. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

Building relationships with students and their families, seeing that "click" or smile on a child's face when they finally understand something new for the first time, and feeling like I am someone my students can lean on or come to for support in a time of need.   

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

Being flexible, compassionate, and empathetic, the ability to develop relationships with your students and understanding that everyone is different and has a different style of learning.  Always be proactive and developing strong listening skills is key.