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.