St. John's News
School of Education Students Gain Valuable Career Insights from Alumni
April 22, 2008
To provide its students with career advice and a networking
opportunity, St. John’s School of Education held its third annual
Alumni Association Career Forum: Count on Alumni for Career Help
(COACH) on April 1, 2008. Six alumni served as the panelists: Ryan
Murphy ’03Ed,’06Ed, Teacher, I.S. 75; RoseAnn Mezzacappa ’71 Ed,
Principal, P.S. 58; Natalie Hendrix ’02Ed, ’03GEd, Teacher, P.S.58;
Tim Behr ’94PD, Retired Principal, P.S. 35; Patricia Campbell ’54
NDC, Associate Professor, St. John’s University; and Anna Castley
’89GEd, Principal, P.S. 54. The forum, designed to provide students
with insight and practical skills when interviewing for a
profession in the field of education, was well received by over 40
students who attended.
Jerrold Ross,
Dean of The School of Education, opened the forum by describing the
School’s reputation as preferred institution from which to fill
education jobs: “We get calls repeatedly to send St. John’s
graduates. As graduates with a passion for education, you will get
the best of those jobs and become leaders within your schools.”
As a group, the panelists introduced themselves and talked about
standards within their profession and their personal experiences
while interviewing for various positions. “You must exhibit
flexibility and collaborate with others to get the work done.
Highlight your versatility and intelligence,” was just some of the
advice offered by RoseAnn Mezzacappa, the panel’s keynote
speaker. Natalie Hendrix described passion as being integral
to a career in education when she said, “Teaching is not a
profession; it’s a passion.” Anna Castley added, “Satisfaction will
sustain you as a career and that passion will come into your
classroom.”
The forum concluded with mock interviews in which three student
volunteers participated in a mock-interview and a networking
session.
Find out more information on the COACH program.
2008-09 Centennial Celebration
The School of
Education celebrates 100 years of preparing visionary
educators.
Learn more about our 2008-09
Centennial.