Dr. Jenna Copper

 

 1. What is your educational background and where have you worked previously?

I attended SRU for my undergrad and master's degrees from 2004-2009. I met my husband, Mike, in Dr. Yamamoto's grad class! I was hired at Slippery Rock High School right after graduation, and during my first year of teaching, I applied for doctoral programs. I started my coursework at Robert Morris University two weeks before we got married, and I defended my dissertation while I was six months pregnant with our first child. I taught at SRHS for 6 years before accepting a position at my home district (also where my husband is teacher), Wilmington Area School District. I was the English department chair, a k-12 technology coach, and the AP English teacher. During that time, I taught night and online classes at RMU in the English department.  In 2021, when I was on maternity leave with our third child, I accepted a full-time faculty position at Westminster College. I earned my pk-12 Reading Specialist certification while I was there for two years before coming back to the Rock.

2. What attracted you to Slippery Rock University, and in particular, the College of Education?

My family has a lot of Rock pride! I went to SRU and had wonderful professors and a great education! My husband, Mike, earned his undergrad degree and master's degree in secondary social studies and teaches AP Gov and APUSH; my brother, Mikey, graduated from SRU with a special education degree and is now a director of special education; my sister-in-law, Brandi, graduated from SRU with a degree in special education and works as an education specialist for the MIU IV; and my brother, John, graduated from the safety management program and went on to earn his doctorate in physical therapy. My husband and youngest brother were stars on the football team. The Rock has done so much for our family, and the College of Education is unmatched in preparing future teachers! My goal was always to make my way back here!

3. What is your current role? What is your favorite course to teach?

I am an assistant professor in the CIEL department, and I co-advise Kappa Delta Pi. I really love them all so far, but my favorite courses are literacy and methods courses.

4. What is your favorite aspect of working in your field?

I love working with future teachers! They are so excited and passionate about our field, and it brings me so much joy to share their enthusiasm for a career I love! 

My undergraduate degree was in English Literature, and I love writing. I love that this field gives me the opportunity to write about topics I'm passionate about, and I enjoy collaborating on research projects with my wonderful colleagues and students.

5. What were you like as a college student?

You can ask Dr. Christmann, Dr. Yamamato, and Dr. Hicks! 😉 One of my professors in the math department called me Hermione (perhaps the big curly hair was part of that). I was a go-getter, but I struggled with overextending myself (something I had to learn to manage as a new teacher). I was a member of the Honors Program, a peer mentor, a reader for SLAB, and a competitive cheerleader for the Rock. I also had a job teaching gymnastics at a local gym and eventually became the GA for the Honors Program in grad school. 

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

My grandpa Conglose always used to say, "think and do." I needed that reminder to slow down and make deliberate choices. It was very easy for me to get caught up in the next thing and the next goal. I've gotten better at this over time, but it's been a good lesson to remind myself to enjoy the moment.