Sarah Snee

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 2020 with a BS in Secondary Education English. I minored in Literature and Writing. From there, I received an MA in Literary & Cultural Studies from Carnegie Mellon University in 2021 and, just this past summer, I received my MEd in Secondary Education from Slippery Rock. Currently, I'm studying at Duquesne University in their PhD program for English Literature. I have a teaching fellowship which means I teach freshmen composition and literature courses while I'm studying. 

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

I'll certainly never forget traveling to Italy with professors Permenter and O'Connor to take the Dante's Inferno course. We traveled all across the country while reading his text. The trip is full of so many memories I'll cherish forever and will always long to return to. I made so many relationships with friends and the professors and cannot say enough good things about the trip's organization by the English department. 

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

Professors Permenter (who is no longer at the university) and Ruppert are the reasons why I'm at the Ph.D. level today. They validated my interests through the years and inspired me to further my education to the highest level. I cannot put into words how much they have impacted me as a person. I'm still in touch with both to this day and truly admire them to the fullest degree. 

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

I was originally interested in education simply because I loved to learn myself and never wanted to leave school, which now makes sense considering I'm still furthering my education. I've always loved to learn and I want to surround myself with others who feel the same. 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love learning new things from students and hearing new perspectives. I love the interesting conversations I get to have with the students I teach. They teach me how to be a better educator every day. 

6. What makes a great teacher?

I would say a great teacher is someone who genuinely finds value in what the students have to say. A great teacher opens up doors for students but doesn't push them in one way or another. In general, I would say a great teacher is simply a good and understanding person. 

 

Gianna Brandy

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

After graduation, I substituted at George Washington Elementary, in Bethel Park, for 2 years. The 2nd year, I also took on a role as a 3rd grade Virtual Teacher! Currently, I teach as a 3rd and 4th grade math teacher for Propel Schools, in Homestead, PA.

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 is student teaching! I was placed in a Kindergarten and K-2 learning support class. The district was great and my cooperating teachers were supportive and definitely helped me morph into the teacher I am today. 

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

Slippery Rock had a ton of positive influences as education professors. One of the professors who helped was Dr. Beinek. He made his classes engaging and open for conversations. I still use strategies I learned in his classes to this day

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

When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career that involved working with children. I took a few classes and did preschool as well, which made me realize I wanted to teach. I wanted to be that person who could make a difference in a child’s life. I wanted to be able to have my students be successful in school, but also with skills out of school.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love creating relationships and bonding with my students. The classroom goes much smoother when you have that connection. Plus, the students are your mini “hypemans'' as well! 

6. What makes a great teacher?

A few skills that a great teacher needs to have is being able to communicate, listen, adapt, and be patient with their students. Communication is key as a teacher. A classroom can fail solely with a lack of communication. Next, teachers need to be able to listen as well. Students have a voice that needs to be heard too. Also, one thing I have also learned is classes do not always go as structured. Being able to adapt during a lesson if something does not go as planned or if students do not understand, is something to be aware of doing too. Lastly, having patience is one of the most important parts. Students will try to push your limits… but being able to control your emotions is one of the greatest strengths to have as a teacher. The students need you more than you would think! 
 

Paige Coon

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 May of 2021. I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I am dual-certified in Pennsylvania and Ohio. I am currently in my second year of teaching. In my first year, I was a long-term substitute teacher in a third-grade classroom at Cambridge Springs Elementary. I am currently teaching fifth grade ELA at Jackson-Milton Elementary in Eastern Ohio. 

 

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

One of my best experiences I had while at SRU was being an Orientation Ambassador for two years. Through this experience, I was able to share my love for SRU with incoming freshmen. I gained confidence and skills that I will use for the rest of my life. SRU has so many different opportunities that will prepare you for the rest of your life. I am so thankful for all of the people and experiences that allowed me to gain the skills I needed to succeed. 

 

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

There were two people that played a significant role in my time at SRU, Brandi Weber-Mortomer and Robert Lagnese. I was able to work in both the Office of Graduate Admissions and the Office of Orientation. Brandi and Robert both gave me the opportunity to gain the confidence I have today to stand in front of a classroom. 

 

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

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. I have always been interested in my teachers’ duties while growing up. Many of my teachers became role models and mentors for me. My interest in teaching really grew stronger when I became an assistant dance teacher at my local studio. When I first visited SRU during my eighth-grade year, I knew that's where I wanted to go to college. Finding out how wonderful the education program was there, really sealed the deal.  

 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

There are so many different aspects of teaching that make it the best job in the world. First, I love giving the students a safe place to grow and learn. Secondly, I love seeing students grow into wonderful humans each year. Lastly, every teacher knows the feeling when their students have a moment where everything clicks. That is the best part of teaching to me.

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher has a toolbox of unique qualities. Some of the most important ones would include being able to demonstrate compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, flexibility and a never-ending love for learning. Although teaching is the best job, it is one of the hardest. Being a great teacher means showing up for your students every single day no matter what you are going through because your students are counting on you. You could be the only one that is consistent in their life and they are depending on you. Knowing this responsibility, along with holding these qualities is what makes a difference between a good and great teacher.

Ellisyn Mularski

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

I majored in School Wellness Education with a minor in Adaptive Sports and Aquatics from 2015 to 2020. I was the Student Body President for our Health and Physical Education Department for two years during my undergrad. I am currently a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Commodore Perry School District; Levels K-12.

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 quality of the professors at SRU. They are truly genuine and passionate about leading educators' future to success!

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

I could name all the professors in the Health and Physical Education Department, but only choosing one, I would have to say Dr. Joanne Leight. She has been my mentor during undergrad, guiding me through each step of the way. She even helped me after graduating by leading me down the right path toward gaining my Master's. She has always taken the time to guide me in the right direction and has been one of my biggest supporters throughout my educational career.

 

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

School teachers are provided daily opportunities to impact a child's life. I chose education for that reason, hoping to guide students positively to lead them to a meaningful and healthy lifestyle.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love the connections I get to make with my students.

 

6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher looks past the barriers and leads students to their successful individual journeys.