Dr. Ashlea Rineer-Hershey

Tell me about yourself. What is your educational background and where have you worked previously?
Dr. Rineer-Hershey is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Special Education at Slippery Rock University as well as the Coordinator for the Community Programs for Americans with Disabilities (CPAD) program. She graduated from Millersville University in 2003 with a dual certificate in special and elementary education. She earned her M.Ed. in Special Education as well as her teaching certification in English as a Second Language from Eastern Mennonite University in 2006. Dr. Rineer-Hershey then went on to complete her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership & Instructional Management from Robert Morris University in 2010. She teaches graduate and undergraduate special education courses as well as advises all the students enrolled in the Special Education Transition Program. Dr. Rineer-Hershey has taught for Slippery Rock University since August 2014. Prior to that time, she worked for California University of Pennsylvania for 2 years as an Assistant Professor in the Early, Middle and Special Education Department. Additionally, she was a special education teacher in the public schools for 5 years and also worked in the Technical Training and Assistance Network for the Pennsylvania Department of Education for 2 years. Her research interests include the areas of transition services, inclusive practices, co-teaching as well as Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has written several articles for peer-reviewed journals as well as written one textbook. Additionally, Dr. Rineer-Hershey presents at various state and national conferences across the country each year.


What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular, the education department?
I taught for 2 years as a temporary faculty member in the special education department when I first moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2005. I knew nothing about SRU at that time, but I was just thrilled to have a job. As I learned more about the community, university and the special education department, it became obvious to me that I never wanted to work anywhere else. So once my doctoral degree was complete, I was thrilled to be able to get a tenure track position in the special education department and return to SRU for my career. 


What has been your most rewarding experience as a teacher/professor? If you cannot narrow it to one, describe one rewarding experience.
I have had the opportunity to be part of growing the SRU Transition Program for local high school students with disabilities. These students come on campus 1-2 days per week and participate in an educational program that is run by graduate and undergraduate students from the Health & Physical Education, Special Education, and other departments. It has been a joy to watch this program grow and see how our SRU students work hard to assist students from the community become more successful and independent.


What were you like as a college student?
I was an elementary and special education major, so I was very diligent with my studies. I had to maintain a high GPA to stay in the education program. I was involved in a different student organizations related to teaching and education. I attended Millersville University, another state university in Eastern Pennsylvania, which was very similar to SRU. I enjoyed my time there and felt very well prepared to be a teacher after I graduated.


What do you know now that you wish you would have known as a college student?
I wish I would have known how quickly college ends and the real world/life starts. I would give college students this advice: Enjoy the opportunities that SRU offers. Have fun, learn as much as you can, build relationships with your peers and professors. The relationships you build will last a lifetime.


What advice would you give to students who are entering or are currently in the teacher preparation program?
Be open to different grade levels, content areas of certification, and be willing to move outside of western Pennsylvania to get a job. Make yourself so appealing to a school that they can’t pass you by for a job. Once you get some experience under your belt, then you can get more picky about what you’d like to teach. And it is entirely possible that you will enjoy teaching a different grade level of students than you originally thought.


What is one way that Slippery Rock University has positively influenced your life and/or professional career?
Honestly, SRU has influenced my life positively in so many ways. I have never had a job where I was happy always. I enjoy walking outside of my office and across campus to see students and staff all over. SRU is a great place to be! But what I most love about SRU is my colleagues in the special education department. We all work together to help each other be successful. Many of us collaborate together on research and presentations out in local school districts and at conferences. It is wonderful to work in such a collaborative and supportive work environment.