TEACHERS SPOTLIGHT

School District: Oil City Area School District

Grade Level: 6th Grade

Subject: Reading & English

Years Teaching: 18 years

On choosing education as a profession: After 20 years in a non-traditional occupation, I realized that it was time to make a small chunk of our world a better place. That is what teaching is - being there for our students emotionally and academically.

On staying motivated to provide innovative instruction for students: During this challenging time, we are being challenged to put a "digital twist" on our everyday classrooms. This motivates me to stay on top of all the technological tools available.

On moments to stop and remember why you love teaching: When digital tools do not work in the manner they are expected too, we all need to take a deep breath and figure a way to work through the issue and REMEMBER- we're here for the kids!

Advice for first-year teachers: This is not an easy job, but it is such an opportunity to make a difference to those that need it most- our youth. You need to reach out and teach the whole child. If there's one thing you'd like your students to learn from you, what it would be: Like yourself, be kind to others, and smile every chance you get! That's my mantra and hopefully can be theirs, also!

School District: Keystone Oaks

Grade Level: K-8

Subject: School Counselor

Years Teaching: 20

On choosing education as a profession: I started as a Track coach, where I would attend practice after work. I soon realized that a bad day at work was forgotten by how the athletes responded to my coaching. That inspired me to go back to school and get a degree in education so I could help young people learn on a full-time basis.

On staying motivated to provide innovative instruction for students: I have fun teaching and get motivated to teach kids in a way that they have fun, too. When that happens they think they are just having fun, but they are actually learning valuable life lessons, such as how to disagree with somebody in a respectful way.

On moments to stop and remember why you love teaching: I get to take third grade students to PNC Park for Education Days. I love it when kids tell me it is their first game.

Advice for first-year teachers: Have fun teaching and students will have fun learning.

What have you learned from your students? Everybody has a story and deserves to be heard. It will be worth it to listen with undivided attention.

If there's one thing you'd like your students to learn from you, what would it be? If you want something in life, be sure to use a question mark at the end of the request (rather than a period or exclamation point).

School District: Monongalia County Schools, Morgantown, WV

Grade Level: PK - 5

Subject: All Subjects

Years Teaching: 38 (18 years in the classroom, the rest as a school administrator)

On choosing education as a profession: I wanted to be actively engaged with people, and was influenced by my wife, who was a teacher for nearly 40 years.

On staying motivated to provide innovative instruction for students: The swift growth of technology has made it easy to be motivated, because there is always something new to learn, or a new way to learn something important.

On moments to stop and remember why you love teaching: Education can be very stressful. Seeing children experience that "ah ha" moment, or feel a real sense of pride in themselves, makes continuing possible.

Advice for first-year teachers: Don't expect teaching to be a job. It is not. It is a life! If you do it right, you'll be exhausted every day.

What have you learned from your students? Children are not so different from adults. They are people who deserve patience, effort, support and opportunity, just like adults.

If there's one thing you'd like your students to learn from you, what would it be? Be kind! Be kind! Be kind!

School District: Seneca Valley School District

Grade Level: 4th, 5th, and 6th grade

Subject: Band

Years Teaching: 18 years teaching

On choosing education as a profession: I always wanted to be a teacher. As I got more involved with the band program as I got older, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. My love of music and teaching just combined to the most logical profession - Beginning Band Director!

On staying motivated to provide innovative instruction for students: Staying motivated to provide innovative instruction for my students is something that's easy for me to do! I love to see the kids eyes light up when they finally get a concept they have been working on for a while - you know - that moment where it just "clicks". I will do just about anything and try any type of instruction to get that click for all of my students. Now, with all the changes to education in the past 6 months, there are more ways to innovate instruction and I am learning daily. Sometimes it's a hit, sometimes it's a foul ball, and sometimes it's a homerun! (Pun 100% intended)

On moments to stop and remember why you love teaching: The moments that I stop and remember why I love teaching almost bring me to my knees with joy. I will get a note from a former student that says that I made a difference in their life. I will get an email from a parent thanking me for putting in extra time. I will get a video from a proud parent of their child playing their first song. I will see students out and about and they can't wait to introduce me to their families. I love teaching because I get to impact those around me!

Advice for first-year teachers: Just keep your head above water your first year! This year we are all first year teachers and I forgot just how hard it is! Stay one step ahead of the kids and 2 steps ahead of everyone else. No need to learn any more than that! Write down the little moments that bring you joy. Write down the funny things that the kids say to you. Don't be afraid to change it up at a moment's notice because that is what teachers do!

What have you learned from your students? I have learned so much from my students! The have taught me how to think outside of the box, how to problem solve, how to find joy in the smallest of moments, and how to laugh when it seems like there is nothing to laugh about.

If there's one thing you'd like your students to learn from you, what would it be? If my students can only learn one thing from me, I hope they learn perseverance. Everything worth doing in this world takes work and if you don't have the perseverance needed to get through, you won't succeed. It takes a strong person to fail and then get right back up and do it again, knowing that they probably will fail again. It takes an even stronger person to repeat that process until you don't fail anymore!

School District: Seneca Valley School District

Grade Level: 7th

Subject: World History

Years Teaching: 21

On choosing education as a profession: I love working with students and really enjoy helping them in growing into great citizens.

On staying motivated to provide innovative instruction for students: Doing different activities in the classroom is really helpful for the kids to grow both in and out of the classroom. Working with the Pirates over the years has given the kids a different prospective on life outside their own neighborhoods.

On moments to stop and remember why you love teaching: When students come back years later and talk about our Pittsburgh field trip and the great memories they had on our team. That's why I teach: making a difference.

Advice for first-year teachers: CHANGE AND BE READY FOR ANYTHING…..

What have you learned from your students? Students really want to take ownership in their learning and this has opened up an entire new way of teaching.

If there's one thing you'd like your students to learn from you, what would it be? Enjoy life and continue to be a lifetime learner… never stop learning!

School District: Sto-Rox School District

Grade Level: 7-12

Subject: Band/Music

Years Teaching: 26

On choosing education as a profession: I chose education as a profession because I wanted to share my love of music with students.

On staying motivated to provide innovative instruction for students: I seek out community resources that enhance student learning and interaction with music. I have partnered with local and international musicians to bring new styles and methodology of music into my classroom. I've exposed students to new genres and the cultures that surround them. These artists have in turn invited my students to perform with them at music festivals and events.

On moments to stop and remember why you love teaching: I love being able to give my students new experiences. The first time we performed at PNC Park I discovered that 95% of my students had never attended a Pirate game before. I was shocked that my students who only live 5 minutes away from the ballpark had never been there. Their reaction to performing in that venue and the joy that it brought them made me realize the important role that teachers play in connecting students to life experiences.

Advice for first-year teachers: Don't be afraid to ask for help and make friends with the secretary and custodial staff. Don't be afraid to challenge the status quo and seek out new experiences for students.

What have you learned from your students? Never take anything for granted. Don't assume everyone has the same life experiences.

If there's one thing you'd like your students to learn from you, what would it be? So many people in the community have supported my students in one way or another. When it comes time in their lives that they're able to give back to their community, they should. I would encourage them to seek out opportunities to help others.