Dr. Deborah Wells

Tell me about yourself. What is your educational background and where have you worked previously? 
I have taught at Slippery Rock University and lived in Slippery Rock since 1987.  I moved here straight out of graduate school at Arizona State University where I earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Literacy.  My first degree was a B.A. in English but I returned to school (at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama) to earn a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education and Reading.

I taught kindergarten, first grade and fourth grade in rural Alabama. I also tutored extensively during that time.

What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular, the education department? 
To be honest, there were two job openings in the area: one at SRU and one at Edinboro.  I asked a friend in Arizona who was from this area where it snowed the most.  She said Edinboro, so I applied to Slippery Rock.

During the job interview, I became very aware of the student oriented focus of the professors on the hiring committee:  Jack Burtch, Tom Kandl, Chuck Rice and Garry Quast.  I felt like the department would be supportive of both faculty and students.  Being part of a strong faculty union was also important.

What research projects are you currently working on?

I am currently analyzing themes and literary elements in Newbery Award winning books between 2000 and 2016. 

What has been your most rewarding experience as a teacher/professor? If you cannot narrow it to one, describe one rewarding experience. 

My most rewarding moments come when I see former students in their own classrooms as cooperating teachers. I love to see their dedication and energy as they prepare the next generation of SRU students.

What were you like as a college student?

I loved being in literature classes especially. When I took Children’s Literature for the first time, I knew that is what my career would be.

What do you know now that you wish you would have known as a college student?

I wish I had been more concerned about learning for the sake of learning – not just doing the assignments simply for a grade.

What advice would you give to students who are entering or are currently in the teacher preparation program?

Get as much experience as you can working with children.

What is one way that Slippery Rock University has positively influenced your life and/or professional career?

Slippery Rock University has always given me the opportunity to combine teaching and scholarship.  Throughout my career, I have worked with caring faculty and dedicated students. I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Dr. Joseph Merhaut

Tell me about yourself. What is your educational background and where have you worked previously?
I received my undergraduate degree in special education in 1989 from SRU. I received my Master of Education from California University of PA with Principal certification. In 2000 I received my doctor of education from Duquesne University

What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular, the education department?
My entire career I always wanted to come back to Slippery Rock so that I could teach pre-service professionals about the realities of education. I have a wealth of experience in the field and I also have a daughter with significant special needs. Sharing my experiences from work and family with my students has been invaluable in their preparation.

What research projects are you currently working on?
I just completed a project on sensory environments specifically for student with Autism. The research was submitted, written up, and published in the Pennsylvania Administrator  magazine in October of 2016.

What has been your most rewarding experience as a teacher/professor? If you cannot narrow it to one, describe one rewarding experience.
Being nominated by several of my students, and being the recipient of The 2009 Presidents Award for Excellence in Teaching.

What were you like as a college student?
If you would have told me then that I would end up as a college professor, I would have told you that you are crazy. I wasn't a bad student, but I played football and was a little bit on the crazy side as an undergraduate student. I didn't really get serious until graduate school.

What do you know now that you wish you would have known as a college student?
How important studying really is. The more you learn about your field you will be that much further ahead of the game in the workplace. Study, study, study, and learn as much as you can.

What advice would you give to students who are entering or are currently in the teacher preparation program?
Gain as much experience possible working with diverse groups of children. The diversity includes children with all levels of disability. The law has made a tremendous push on integrating students with disabilities into the general education classroom so having as much experience as possible is crucial. I would also highly recommend that students dual certify in special education. I know principals throughout the entire state, and they tell me that they will only hire teachers with dual certification.

What is one way that Slippery Rock University has positively influenced your life and/or professional career?
Slippery Rock University has given me tremendous flexibility to do research, scholarship, and service in so many different ways. These opportunities have not only impacted my professional life but my personal life as well. SRU is a great place to work.

Dr. Jeffrey Lehman

 

 

 

What did you before you got to SRU? What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular, the education department?

Before SRU, I was a professor of education at SUNY Albany. At SUNY Albany, I taught courses related to secondary education science. When I came to SRU, I taught courses in elementary and secondary science education -- which meant that I was responsible for teaching the entire K-12 science instruction curriculum! Being originally from Lebanon, PA, coming to SRU was welcoming because of my familiarity with the area and the people. 43 years of my life have been spent teaching, and 28 of those years have been at SRU.

  

What is your favorite course to teach? Why?

My favorite course to teach is SEFE676: Teaching Integrated Science and Math, which is a face-to-face course with graduate students. This course is normally the first instructional methods class that these students take -- as well as their first exposure toward becoming a teacher. These students are normally coming into my class with undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, or mathematics. I enjoy this course because students regularly learn a lot of helpful information about testing, standards, and instruction which helps them prepare for the years to come.

 

What research have you worked on in your career?

My favorite research in the past has involved studying the use of technology for math and science instruction. I also conducted research which considers the role of laboratories in science instruction.

 

What has been your most rewarding experience as a teacher/professor? If you cannot narrow it to one, describe one rewarding experience.

Having 5 student teachers each semester has been rewarding because it means that I am constantly in area schools, interacting with students and professionals. Doing so keeps my instruction informed and relevant because I see many of the students, who I had during my early methods courses, at end of their teacher preparation program as they student teach! Seeing their progression allows me to evaluate what I can change in my courses to reflect what is needed in the schools and how I can assist future teacher candidates. That is very important to me.

 

Related to that, in 2010, 2011, and 2015, I supervised 25 student teachers each fall semester who completed their student teaching in Ireland. It was a lot of fun being able to travel with them, explore new areas, and interact with different people.

 

What were you like as a college student?

I was always a good student who enjoyed learning. I liked chemistry and science and wanted to teach those subjects. Both of my undergraduate and graduate degrees were in chemistry, and I worked toward my teacher certification during my graduate degree. After teaching high school classes for 4 years, I decided I wanted to prepare teachers for the field. As a Florida Gator, I earned my Ph.D in curriculum instruction in science education. Being involved in teaching and education has always been what I have enjoyed doing since being a college student.

 

What advice would you give to students who are entering or are currently in the teacher preparation program?

Avail yourselves to as many experiences as possible --  whether it is tutoring, overseas student teaching, urban student teaching, etc. Explore everything! Get involved in clubs and sports and take advantage of the opportunities that you have right now.

What is one way that Slippery Rock University has positively influenced your life and/or professional career?
Teaching here gave me the flexibility to pursue areas in which I had tremendous interest. I would not have considered the possibility of going to Ireland, for example, to supervise student teaching were it not for the opportunities provided to me by SRU.

Lastly, when I go out in schools, it is terrific to see former students of mine now working at nearby schools, many of them volunteering to be co-ops for field students and student teachers. Having these students so long ago and seeing them enjoy what they are doing now is excellent and important to me.