Melanie (Hughes) Bryant

 

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

In 2011, I earned my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education from SRU. Building on that foundation, I virtually completed my master's degree in Special Education with a focus on Autism from SRU in 2014. Seeking to further enhance my expertise, I pursued a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University in 2020. Currently, I am working on my doctorate at SRU, in special education. My goal is to graduate in 2025.

After graduating with my bachelor's degree, I moved to Stafford County, VA where I worked as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher from January 2012 through May 2023. I was a primary support teacher for the Head Start Program from 2012-2016, then taught students with Autism from 2016-2023. I moved back to Pittsburgh, PA in July 2023 where I started working for a new private special education school, River Academy of Excellence where I am the Director of Special Education. In addition to working for River Academy, I also do some early intervention services for River Therapies.

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

I am so proud of my education at Slippery Rock. I have learned so much, and the rigorous program allowed me to soar in my field. That's the main reason I keep going back. While my education was, and is, so important to me, I have to say attending Slippery Rock and meeting my now husband and our group of friends, that we still have 13 years later, will be something I forever remember and am grateful for! My husband and I even got married at the gazebo in the Quad in July 2021!

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

I have had so many amazing professors at Slippery Rock. My advisor, Dr. Isherwood, as he helped me navigate my undergraduate and graduate degrees. His classes, especially the emotional disability classes helped guide me towards a career working with not only students with autism but emotional disabilities as well.

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

Ever since I was in preschool, I always said I wanted to be a teacher. I enjoyed working with kids and I loved volunteering with the Special Olympics. It sounds so cliche, but I just have always known that's what I wanted to do.

 5. What do you love most about teaching?

Seeing the students succeed through all the hurdles they have to overcome with their disabilities.

 6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher goes beyond being a conveyor of information; they are mentors, motivators, and guides who contribute significantly to their students' personal and intellectual development. 

 

Taylor Bronowicz

 

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 2019 with my Bachelors in Elementary Education and a minor in mathematics. I graduated from the University of Alabama in May 2024 with my Masters in Educational Leadership. I'm also certified to teach middle school math as well as high school algebra and geometry. I am currently pursuing my National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Mathematics. I teach 6th grade math at Albertville Intermediate School in Albertville, Alabama. I previously taught 7th grade math and before that, 6th grade math in Stafford County, Virginia. In my free time, I review manuscripts for Solution Tree publishing company and was interviewed for "Lessons from Great Teachers to Teachers Who Want to be Great" which is coming out in January 2025.

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

I have two experiences that really stick out to me from my time at Slippery Rock. My student teaching experience made a huge impact on me. Mrs. Albert and Mrs. Eyth at Summit Elementary helped me become a better teacher, especially in areas I felt I needed to improve. They helped build my confidence and supported me in the fun engaging lessons I taught. Just a few weeks before I started student teaching, I had the opportunity to travel to Spain for about two weeks. During this time we visited the American School of Valencia and toured both Valencia and Barcelona. It was an eye opening experience to see another culture and school setting as well as my first experience working with bilingual students. I wish I was able to spend more time there!

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

Dr. Tours always went above and beyond to get to know her students and address their concerns. She is constantly striving to improve what she does to support her students. I still remember her being someone I spoke to during my first year of teaching. I am so grateful to have been in multiple of her classes!

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

Growing up, I was always interested in becoming a teacher. My high school had a preschool on campus where I taught students during my junior and senior year after having taken child development. It was such a rewarding experience that solidified my decision to become a teacher.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I love getting to build relationships with my students and creating engaging lessons that students find memorable. It's so rewarding to see how much they grow academically and as individuals as the year goes on!

6. What makes a great teacher?

I think great teachers work really hard to build positive relationships with both their students and their families throughout the entire school year. They see their students as individuals and know what makes them unique. I believe it's important for teachers to incorporate their students' interests into lessons the best they can while being flexible to meet the needs of their students.

Jennifer Bytheway

 

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

I am currently the K-5 Special Education Supervisor at Commonwealth Charter Academy- aka CCA. Prior to that I taught at East Liverpool Jr/Sr High School. I began there in the Jr. High Multiple Disabilities classroom and then moved into teaching remedial reading in grades 7-12. Before that, I taught 6th grade Language Arts at CCA for 2 years. My very first teaching job upon graduating SRU was in alternative education in Youngstown, Ohio.

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

I had so many experiences during my time at SRU that prepared me fully from graduation day one to be an educator. One of the most memorable experiences without a doubt though was my student teaching. Dr. Kim Creasy was my co-operating professor and he offered me so much great advice when he observed. He also helped me see my own unique strengths and how to build upon them.

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

Dr. Erikson had such a large impact on where I ended up today. He introduced me to the world of cyber education and gave me an opportunity to explore during my field experience. He was also a huge support when I was completing my special education supervisor program. He always had a great way of encouraging us to think outside of the box while not losing sight of our number one reason for what we do: students!

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

I wanted to make a positive impact in life. Having some personal experiences within my family dealing with education for learners with unique needs inspired me to want to be part of change. I realized that I was fortunate to have an extensive understanding and empathy of these situations that could really be used in any school setting.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

The forever impact we have even when we do not always get to see it first hand. I am old enough now where students reach out to me to tell me where they are now. Nothing is more rewarding than hearing from the kid many thought would not graduate sharing that he has a great job and is succeeding in life! 

6. What makes a great teacher?

There are so many important traits but at the end of the day I think the most important thing is flexibility and a growth mindset. The world we live in, and the children we are so lucky to teach, all have so many different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and attitudes towards learning. We have to have a willingness to change and adjust to our kids' needs.