Victoria Murphy

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

I am currently working at Conemaugh Valley Elementary School as the 3rd grade Science/Social Studies teacher! 

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

I will never forget the sense of home I felt at SRU. The campus is beautiful, the town is small, the professors are great, and the friendships I made will last a lifetime!

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

Dr. Robert Snyder - Dr. Synder radiates a passion for education. This passion shows through his teaching and meaningful assignments. Daily, I find myself referring to his lessons and activities to incorporate in my teaching to create a meaningful and engaging science lesson for my students.

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

I have had an interest ever since entering school. It was the only response I ever gave during the “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Over the years many teachers have inspired me, but as I grew older and started helping my brothers with their homework is when I realized it was something I loved to do. I really enjoyed helping kids/people learn and grow.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

It’s hard to name just one thing when there are so many reasons to love teaching. I obviously love to see the growth and development my students make throughout the year, but I think I continue to love teaching because it is never boring! Every day is full of adventure in the classroom whether it’s a surprise fire drill or an exciting experiment/project that’s happening that day! And of course, continuing to build the “you can’t even make this stuff up” stories.

6. What makes a great teacher?

Passion. I believe passion is so important to have as a teacher. You have to have a passion for wanting students to learn and grow, as well as being passionate about what you teach. Passion has got me through even the hardest days as a teacher when feeling overwhelmed, or during a full moon week (if you know you know). Passion, I feel, is the driving force behind so many great teachers because it not only helps them be the best teacher they can be but it also radiates to the students.

 

Kennedy Carnahan

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

I earned my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood (PreK-4) and Special Education (K-8) from SRU. I chose to expand my special education certification up to 12th grade to teach my dream position of high school life skills. I graduated from Slippery Rock in May of 2021. I began my first year teaching at New Brighton as their High School Life Skills teacher for grades 9-12. I moved districts this past Summer and am currently the High School Life Skills teacher at Freedom Area School District. Go Bulldogs!

 

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

Slippery Rock gave me many wonderful, hands-on experiences while on my path to becoming a teacher. However, my most memorable experience was my student teaching in a high school life skills class at Mohawk. I always knew the field of special education had my heart, but this experience is where I found my passion within the high school setting. I was blessed with a great mentor teacher who pushed me to become the educator I am today. 

 

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

I think I can speak for many when I say Slippery Rock gives us so many wonderful professors within the college of education. One professor in particular who made a lasting impression and positive influence on me would be Dr. Lynch. His classes showed the raw side of education and all that comes with being a teacher in today's world. One of the most important things I took away from not only his class, but SRU in general was the point of creating a safe, welcoming environment for my students to grow academically, functionally, and socially which is one of my biggest focuses in my own classroom today. 

 

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

I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was a young girl. My older cousin, who teaches autistic support, helped me find my passion within the special education field. Once I began field experiences in a special education setting I couldn't imagine teaching anything else. 

 

5. What do you love most about teaching? 

The thing that I love most about teaching is watching my students flourish and cross milestones, big or small. At my current district, Freedom High School, my students run a cafe for other students and teachers to purchase drinks. Seeing my students thrive socially and make connections with other students throughout the building is heartwarming. Watching a student grow before your eyes is what makes it all worth it!

 

6. What makes a great teacher?  

As a special education teacher, I am devoted to being an advocate for my students so they can grow and reach their maximum potential. I do that by remembering the 5 P's: passion, patience, perseverance, persistence, and purpose. The greatest of teachers light flames in students by never letting their own dim or burn out, we continue to be the light even in the darkest of times for our students. A great teacher does not just teach their students, but connects with them and gets on their level - they impact them, which is what my goal is with each student in my classroom.

 

Madeline Kiefer

 

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

I graduated from SRU in May of 2021 and started working as a building sub at Freedom Area Elementary in August of 2021. This is now my second year at Freedom, subbing in kindergarten to fourth grade classrooms, including general and special education settings as needed.

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

My time at Slippery Rock is full of some of my favorite memories, from my classes and variety of field experiences to time with my friends simply doing life together.

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

There are so many high-quality professors at SRU in the College of Education that it is impossible to highlight only one that had a positive influence on me. Drs. Walsh, Alexander, Kelley, Snyder, and Zane had the biggest impact on my time at SRU. Their professionalism, passion for teaching, enthusiasm, and compassion for their students set an amazing example for me and make me proud to now be a fellow teacher with them.

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

I pursued my degree in education because it aligned with my interests, skill set, and goals for post-college employment. I knew I didn't want a desk job, and teaching gives me a unique opportunity to be a positive influence on so many lives, as my own teachers were for me.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

My favorite part about teaching is knowing I am making a difference. I love watching students' self-confidence and personalities grow in the classroom.

6. What makes a great teacher?

I believe a great teacher needs to be patient, motivated, organized, empathetic, compassionate, creative, and understanding. When we meet our students where they are, have a clear picture of where we are guiding them, hold them to high standards, and provide positive support towards those goals, students are capable of incredible growth and greatness. As teachers we have the opportunity to foster that growth in a positive, encouraging way.