Heather (Bear) Wingert

 

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

I received my undergraduate degree in teaching from Shippensburg University and immediately upon graduation went into daily substitute teaching. Over the course of almost ten years, I have serviced several local school districts substituting mainly at the elementary level and held several short-term/long-term substitute positions ranging from two Kindergarten placements, a 3rd grade placement, and two 5th grade placements. Currently, I serve as a 5th grade ELA and Social Studies teacher for the Shippensburg Area School District in Shippensburg, PA. It was upon being hired at Shippensburg SD that I began pursuing my graduate coursework. I chose to complete a Master’s in Education degree with Reading Specialist PK-12 Certification and Literacy Coaching Endorsement through Slippery Rock University utilizing their 100% online degree program.

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

One SRU experience within the reading field that I will never forget is the assignment where I was to facilitate my colleague’s learning through the eyes of being a literacy coach. This assignment was given through the course ELEC 643 Advanced Literacy Coaching Practicum. In this assignment, I had to rely on my teaching experience, reading experience, and communication skills to become an effective literacy coach and provide my colleague with several literacy teaching strategies to improve their teaching practice. This experience provided real world application through the lens of a literacy coach and teaching professional. I was forced out of my comfort zone in several ways but came out of this experience with a deeper understanding of the role of literacy coach, my teaching abilities, and my potential to create change within the realm of literacy instruction. Within my school building and district, I am able to have more involved conversations based in literacy instruction to continue excelling my students forward in their learning.

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

Several SRU faculty members made my time and experiences with the university memorable but one SRU faculty member stands out above all others; Dr. Christine Walsh. I had the privilege of having Dr. Walsh for several courses throughout my time at SRU. The course that offered the most positive influence on me was through ELEC 643 Advanced Literacy Coaching Practicum as Dr. Walsh made me feel that I was capable of a role as literacy coach should I choose to pursue it further. It was through her feedback on my Coaching Cycles assignment that my studies, efforts, and hard work all became recognized. She embraced my adventures to complete this project and applauded my authentic ways of gaining the most experience possible within this project. It was through her kind comments encouraging me to continue using my coaching experiences to help others, whether it be informal or formal, that I began to feel purpose in my teaching of literacy and gaining of literacy skills. This has forever changed how I see literacy curriculum and instruction and how I use my inner voice/literacy knowledge base. 

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

From as early as I can remember, I was always working to learn as much as I could. I embraced being able to show and assist others to learn something new. Often others would comment how great I was working with children and how easy it seemed teaching them. Honestly, I can’t think of any other career that I wanted or even considered wanting to do for my life besides teaching in some manner. Originally, while still deciding in high school, I had planned to be a high school band teacher but upon enrolling for my undergraduate degree, it transitioned into elementary teaching with an emphasis on reading.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

The thing that I love most about teaching is the excitement I feel when I get to show my students something new, extend their learning, or when their “light bulb” goes off and they finally master what they have been learning. There is no other feeling like this. As a teacher, you hold opportunity for students to learn values and find their inner capabilities. I love being an ELA and Social Studies teacher because so much of our world can be explored through adventure and reading. Thinking critically encourages deep discussion and fosters continued searching to know more about the world around you. 

6. What makes a great teacher?

What makes a great teacher is such a loaded question. To define it is subject to other’s opinions and viewpoints. In my viewpoint, what makes a great teacher is someone who continually looks for ways to show the world to their students through the eyes of joy, excitement, and adventure. It is that one person that students can rely on to follow through on their word, be there every day, and have their best interest at heart. A great teacher looks beyond academic grades and considers what skills students need to excel in the real world someday. The utmost important qualities are honesty, working hard, and resiliency. Knowing that I can affect just one person’s life in a positive manner provides reason enough to continue my career in education.

Zachary Mehal

 

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 with a Masters of Education in the Fall of 2015. I currently work for a virtual charter school in the state of Pennsylvania as a high school chemistry teacher. I’ve held this role since graduating SRU with my masters. 

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

The one SRU experience that transformed my life and career was the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland for 4 weeks. Becoming immersed in a culture different than what I was used to really opened my eyes how education is so much more than a classroom experience. I still keep in contact with the connections I’ve made. The experience boosted my confidence in the classroom; especially knowing the pedagogy and teaching strategies learned at SRU transcend cultures. For example, I’ll never the forget how a group of students thought they could “act up” since I was the student teacher during my first week teaching in the Irish school. When the students wouldn’t stop talking, I distinctly remember turning off the lights and pausing for what felt like an eternity but the room became quiet to the point where you could hear a pin drop. I learned there are some time tested strategies with teaching that work no matter what educational setting you are in! Plus, the weekend trips to explore the Irish countryside and cities just added a special touch to the experience.

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

Dr. Jeffrey Lehman had a positive influence on me during my time at SRU. First of all, as my advisor, he was really encouraging and always gave feedback in a constructive way that never seemed condescending or punitive. He also encouraged me to apply to the study abroad program in Ireland, which really opened my eyes to life outside of PA. I am forever grateful and thankful for his advice, encouragement, and feedback during my time at SRU. 

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

Ever since I was little, I had a passion for learning. I remember helping my younger sister with her homework and forming study groups with my fellow classmates; however, I was not ready to pursue education as a career upon graduating high school. It wasn’t until my undergraduate experience that I realized my calling was education. I specifically remember being asked by my professors to become tutors for classes to help fellow students. The experience of getting to work with students, get paid, and also review the content helped pushed me to decide education as a career. Even when I worked in industry I was assigned to develop training resources for onboarding and incoming employees. These experiences all validated my calling for becoming a teacher. 

5. What do you love most about teaching?

I enjoy getting to interact with students each day and take on the challenge of getting them interested in learning tough content. When I see students start to make connections and get invested in the activities, I become fueled to keep going. And even when lessons don’t go according to plan or students do not take interest, I enjoy the challenge of improving the lesson to reach each student in the next class.  

6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher connects with their students, knows what motivates them, and find ways to make the content accessible, understandable, and attainable, for everyone in the classroom. I want my students to leave the classroom learning something knew without them feeling like it’s a process they “have” to go through. In other words, I great teacher wants their students to want to come to class each day. 

Chedel Beck

 

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 with my Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 2016.  More recently, I graduated from Slippery Rock with my Master of Education in Secondary Education in May 2023.  Since graduating, I had a long term substitute position at Carson Middle School in the North Allegheny School District as a 7th grade Life Science teacher.  After that I had a short term substitute position at Moon Area Middle School as a 7th grade Life Science teacher.  Currently, I got a permanent contract position as a 6th grade science teacher at Carson Middle School in the North Allegheny School District; this school year is my first year in that position. 

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 attending graduation for my Masters degree.

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

One SRU faculty member that had a positive influence on me was Dr. Hicks because he was transparent about teaching and the ups and downs that can come with it.

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

I became interested in pursuing a degree in education because I enjoyed working with youth in my experiences as a swim coach and a high school youth group leader at my church.  I initially wanted to go into the medical field, but decided that wasn't for me; however, I was still interested in science and wanted to pair that with my passion for working with children.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

The thing I love most about teaching is knowing that I've made a positive impact on students, helped them learn, and helped them grow as people.

6. What makes a great teacher?

One thing that makes me a great teacher is my ability to quickly build a rapport with my students and colleagues.

Hailey (Tammaro) Hughes

 

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

I am an alumna of Laurel High School. After graduating, I earned my bachelor's degree in biology from Westminster College. I then pursued my master's degree in secondary education at Slippery Rock University. Upon completing my studies, I worked at New Castle High School for one year before transitioning to Union High School. I currently teach Biology, AP Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology. 

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

One experience at SRU I will never forget is the field experience at New Castle High School. Unfortunately, it was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, I remember it as the first time I stood in front of a biology classroom, assisting with labs, and designing and delivering my first lesson. I recall my excitement at experiencing my initial taste of being a teacher.

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

Dr. Mark Hogue is the faculty member who had the most positive influence on me. He not only covered the syllabus content but also provided practical teaching advice, ranging from the interview process to classroom setup and effectively engaging students in the lesson. He offered assistance even beyond graduation when I was applying for my first teaching job. He is a professor who goes above and beyond for his students, and it does not go unnoticed! 

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

Initially, I went to college to become a veterinarian. However, after shadowing a veterinarian and nearly passing out during a routine surgery on a dog, I realized it was probably wise to change career paths. Uncertain of my direction, I was teaching horseback riding lessons when a parent remarked, "You have a gift for teaching; you're great with the kids."  It was like something clicked, and I realized that I wanted to teach one of my other passions: biology. After taking a few education classes, I fell in love with the profession and knew it was my calling.

5. What do you love most about teaching?

What I love most about teaching is being the one to teach students how the natural world around them works. I love seeing their faces when I tell them they were once a single cell or watching their jaws drop when I reveal that they have about 38 trillion bacteria cells living in and on their bodies. Hearing, "Wow, that's amazing!" when they look into a microscope for the first time and see the microscopic world around them is invigorating. I love seeing my students get excited and interested in biology; it makes my job worthwhile!

6. What makes a great teacher?

A great teacher loves their job and what they teach. Students can tell when a teacher is passionate about their subject, which makes them want to know more (most of the time, haha!). A great teacher holds their students to high standards but also understands that they have lives outside of school and, therefore, have grace and patience for those bad days. Lastly, a great teacher must care about their students. Not only caring about their grades but also their well-being and future. For some students, a great teacher is one of the only positive influences they have in their lives, and it is both a privilege and a responsibility for teachers.