Dr. Carmine Decarlo

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?

I am teaching ELEC 460: Instructional Strategies for Science and Technology Pre-K-4. I am most proud of the fact that I have the opportunity to integrate authentic teaching experiences into the course assignments for my students. I also supervise student teachers and I am exceedingly proud of how well each and every one of them represents SRU.

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?

I was part of the grass roots efforts that developed the Professor Protégé Program which is currently in its second year of development. I am really proud of being involved in the program because I enjoy being a mentor to freshmen and working one on one with them to give them a behind the scenes look at what it takes to be an effective teacher. Another accomplishment that I am very proud of is the creation of the elementary “science room” in the McKay building. Using grant monies, my colleague Dr. Snyder and I, completely revamped McKay 125 and designed a state of the art science lab, complete with Smart Boards, Ipad cart, and a plethora of science supplies. As far as service projects, I am a member many committees at the department, college, and university level. Currently, I am the COE representative to the University Promotions Committee, and play an important role in the fair evaluation of my peers’ academic performance, service, and teaching effectiveness.

What student success stories can you share?

I got a call from a former student the other day, Jimmie Altman, who told me of his new job teaching third grade math in Texas, and all about his growing family. It was delightful to hear from him. Over the past 25 years, I have received many, many calls and emails like Jimmie’s. It reminds me that my “success” as a teacher educator is really tied to my students’ success as teachers. The countless emails and photos and phone calls from former students over the years that describe their teaching position, and their classrooms, and the joy they get from teaching, are what make me feel that my career has been a successful one.

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?

I love all things outdoors! I am absolutely addicted to golf…I’ve not gotten any better at it in the last five years that I’ve played, but I keep hoping and trying! My new passion is stand up paddle boarding, but the kid in me still feels the thrill of a good, old fashioned, bike ride on country roads.

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?

I have always, since day one, appreciated the fact that I can pursue any scholarly interest, service project, or new teaching strategy I want, and find SUPPORT here…either through my Department Chairperson, Dean, or even the President. There has always been the sense that nothing is impossible here at SRU…If I can dream it, I can achieve it, and I can find the support I need to make it a reality. I have loved the freedom to develop new ideas and new courses and new projects, knowing all along that I am not alone in whatever I pursue. I appreciate the “family” that I have found here.

Dr. Linda Zane

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?

I currently teach Theory & Practice in Early Childhood Education, and I also supervise student teachers. I love being able to see students at the beginning of our program (in the Theory & Practice course) and also at the end of our program (during student teaching). They are both equally rewarding because I am able to share my passion for early childhood education with students throughout their time at SRU.

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?

I enjoy being involved in many different areas, all of which emphasize the importance of early childhood education. I authored a book entitled Pedagogy and Space: Design Inspirations for Early Childhood Classrooms, which will be released in February 2015. This blends my interest in architecture and early childhood spaces, aiding early childhood teachers with ways to spice up their classrooms.

Recently, I was the co-investigator for a research study investigating the hiring practices of Western Pennsylvania school districts. I am anxious to share the research finding with our students, so that they can better prepare themselves for obtaining a teaching position.

Finally, I am thrilled to accompany students to Sweden during spring break. I have taken trips with students during the 2013 and 2014 spring break weeks, and am making plans to accompany students during the 2015 spring break as well. While we are there, we visit preschools, elementary schools, Kristianstad University, and an outdoor preschool—all of which are fascinating for our students. The students enjoy experiencing the Sweden culture, and return with an appreciation of educational practices around the world.

What student success stories can you share?

My favorite success stories are when students leave SRU and obtain teaching jobs. All five of my spring 2014 student teachers obtained full-time teaching positions, of which I am very proud. Our SRU graduates always report that, while their first year of teaching is a lot of work, they have been extremely well-prepared to take over their own classroom—the greatest sign of success!

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?

I love attending plays and the opera. I also enjoy going to Pirates’ games and Pitt football and basketball games. During breaks, I read books and catch up on articles that I may not have time to read when school is in session.

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?

All of the people, from the administration, to faculty, to staff, and students, are friendly and welcoming. Our campus holds a wonderful mix of people, from many different places—but each is warm-hearted, and truly cares about their school, colleagues, and peers.

Dr. Richael Barger-Anderson

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?

Graduate Level Courses: The enrollment numbers are so high and I am so proud of how well our Special Education Program is doing. It is doing so well due to the great SRU reputation for Special Education. Many of our undergraduates return for our masters level courses.
607- Positive Behavior Interventions
618-Language and Literacy for students with disabilities

Undergraduate Course: 325 Inclusive classroom
The students are able to use the textbook that myself, Joe Merhaut, and Robert Isherwood created called, “Strategic Co-Teaching in your school”. The book consists of many instances where one or all of us is applying practical experience from schools in the content of the course.

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?
We finally created the Education Doctorate in Special Education. We are the first school in the PASSHE State System to have created a doctorate in special education. We will also have the first teaching associate on SRU’s campus due to this program.

What student success stories can you share?
Alyssa Williams is teaching special education at Greenville school district.
Kaleigh Hoover is an administrator in Baltimore, Maryland.
Anthony Uniejewski is the Graduate Assistant in the Deans office and is enrolled in our Special Education Autism Program.

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?
I enjoy spending time with my family, skiing at Peak and Peak and boating in the summer in East Brady!

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?
Plain and simple answer, I enjoy the people. I like collaborating with faculty, the sheer dedication from the students enrolled in my courses, and most importantly having a supportive campus environment.

Dr. Traci Zilifro

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?
1. Educational Movement in Health and Wellness 243 – I am most proud of relaying the message regarding the importance of physical activity in the schools and instructing future teachers on how to implement strategies to increase physical activity in the schools.

In this class I teach future educators, those who will teach in the gymnasium and those who will teach in the classroom, about how physical activity improves not only physical health but cognition and mental health as well. The research has been done and the statistics are in, we need to get kids moving throughout the school day to improve the quality of their education, as well as their lives.
Second year on the new textbook and it is more of a school wide focus rather than just one class. Same activities just different content.

2. Administration & Management of Physical Activity Programs 332 – I am most proud of preparing students in our Physical Activity & Fitness Management track to carry out the leadership role in which I am sure they will find themselves in the future. We cover concepts such as marketing and risk management of physical activity programs and we go off-campus and design and lead two different programs open to community members.

3. Personal Physical Fitness 141– I am most proud of the fact that I try to make physical fitness relevant to them personally, before they are expected to teach it to anyone else. We, as a department, want to encourage students to “practice what they preach”. We want them to know the facts about physical activity and learn how to scrutinize and identify the fiction. 

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?
I do a service project each year with my students in the Administration & Management of Physical Activity Programs class that consists of planning and executing 2 programs in the Slippery Rock Community. One is held after-school at Slippery Rock Area Elementary, the other is held at the Slippery Rock Area Senior Center. Both programs are centered on the idea of increasing physical activity in a way that is enjoyable and will encourage future involvement. Elementary hopscotch, jump-rope, hula hoop, tag games, yard games, golf (First Tee). Disc golf, Frisbee, can jam. Elderly (recreational activities) cornhole, ladder golf, bocchi, wi bowling, Nordic walking, line dancing, any fun incorporation of activity.


What student success stories can you share?
Student success to me is when a student goes into the schools or other physical activity setting and makes a positive change. It takes knowledge, time, energy, and courage to make a difference and it makes me very proud to see our graduates doing just that.
On a smaller scale, every time a student comes back from a field experience and is able to tell me what they saw happening in the gym and why it was good or not so good, I feel that I have made a small difference in improving the awareness of quality physical education.

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?
I spend time with my husband and 2 children. We like to be active in the outdoors at Moraine State park.

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?
I appreciate the small town atmosphere, combined with the perks of having a university close-by. Appreciate the strong history and quality of the Physical Education Program and the faculty is amazing. It pays attention to the quality undergraduate education where large state schools lose that attention.

Dr. Donald Strano

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?

I teach all Graduate Level courses.
Foundations of Adulthood--- I am most proud of this course because it allows for a masters of arts in community counseling. Students get to narrow their focus on content based on population. Youth, addiction, adult, gerontology etc.
The content is more advanced and then their skills advance. This was taught in Australia and it focused on narrative therapy which is story based on therapy. Instruction comes from having students do some reading and reflection but instead they are having students tell a story that stands out and has meaning/connects. I stress the application of these narratives and incorporating this method in multiple courses.

Family Counseling
Student Affairs Practicum course

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?

I traveled to Australia to enhance my counselor identity development. I conducted a qualitative study about the narrative therapy and asked professionals to tell me how they are as a professional. I take a video recording of this interview and have a group of 4-5 people watch the recording and they interview each other on what they thought. Then the second recording is brought in, we watch the group and we have a final interaction. When training professionals we talk about not bringing in personal stuff so we create this idea of what it means to be professional. Expert in knowledge and narrows what a professional is. The research is to think about how counseling trainers create richer and fuller history, background, etc. Connection of personal and professional life.

What student success stories can you share?

One recent student is a professor at Youngstown training professionals.
Any of my students who went to get doctoral degrees to teach at a college level or be involved as a doctorate in psychology.
Generally, if you’re in this region, at any location that provides services, there is at least one or more of SRU’s graduates. We staff many of the facilities with our graduates. We are taking care of the people in Western PA. In some ways I have impact on thousands of people in this area due to staffing agencies all starting with me. One student is taught by me, who then becomes a counselor and helps people, who then becomes a college professor educating hundreds of students per year. In a way it is a ripple effect which starts with me.

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?

I enjoy archery hunting and fly fishing in the Neshannock area or Slippery Rock Creek. I like to watch baseball and hockey. I also enjoy gardening and traveling.

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?
I enjoy the notion of training professionals and allow people to develop as professionals. The value, I am a firm believer of great quality regional schools that are accessible to citizens of the area. If it wasn’t for the state to make this available, students would suffer. If it wasn’t for this I would be an unemployed waste. There is such competitiveness around this area and having this access to a good quality education is essential. The mission is to serve the people in the area and the practitioner value is why this area is the best for Psychology Education.

Dr. Patrick Grant

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?
Low Incidence---The students have opportunities to meet with potential teachers and gives me the opportunity to develop a thinking foundation so they work from their own minds and not just the text. They think about the impact they have with teachers.
Americans with Disabilities -----This is a liberal studies class and it reaches across ...campus so we get all sorts of people from different majors. It gives me the opportunity to inform them about students with disabilities. Exposing them to this allows for optimal success.

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?
I am currently writing three articles and chapters for texts. One article is about the role of the church and how it impacts the education of our youth today. The impact of the articles is so cutting edge that to divulge the information would be potentially dangerous to SRU because the information would be leaked out to other universities therefore robbing Slippery Rock University of the credit.

What student success stories can you share?
The Interns that I work with over the summer are exceptional! Most of the interns are hired by the places they are interning at. This shows that we are doing a great job due to the sheer number of hires. Multiple students are at the graduate level and expanding their education.

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?
I enjoy reading and traveling to New York, Atlanta, and Boston.

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?
The nature of the people here in and around the departments not only education but social work, sciences, geology’s, etc. It’s a sharing friendly atmosphere. The students are here to learn, they cooperate, and this makes my job more pleasurable because you are working with people who care and want to learn.

 I enjoy keeping in contact with students after graduation and years to come. Students and myself own each other in a sense to ask for advice and just to catch up. This shows that you connect with the students.