Aspiring Teacher Finds a “Second Home” at
St. John’s
When Erica Zissel ’12Ed, ’13GEd began student teaching last fall at
Benjamin Cardozo High School, in Queens, NY, she discovered an
unexpected advantage over more seasoned professionals in nearby
classrooms.
“I wasn’t much older than the kids in my class,” said Erica. “At
first, I’d wondered if teens would listen to a teacher who was in
their shoes a few short years ago. But they actually seemed to
relate more easily to someone closer to their age.”
Erica enjoyed teaching ninth-grade history. Though her youth helped
forge an initial connection with students, she said, her success
stemmed from lessons she learned at St. John’s. She cited Professor
Jerry Stein, her instructor in “Methods of Teaching.” “For me,” she
said, “that course represents what’s so helpful about The School of Education’s
approach — we gain a broad perspective on our content area.”
Those experiences convinced Erica to remain at the University for
graduate study. She received her bachelor’s degree in
adolescent education with a focus on social studies in January
2012. Now she is pursuing a master’s degree with a dual
concentration in Literacy, Grades 5-12, and TESOL (Teaching English
to Speakers of Other Languages), Grades K-12.
Erica continues to participate in activities that enriched her
undergraduate years. She remains president of
Kappa Eta, the Queens campus chapter of the international
education honor society, Kappa Delta
Pi. She held the post in November 2011, when Kappa Eta received
the organization’s Achieving Chapter
Excellence Award (ACE). “It was a thrilling way to finish the
semester,” said Erica, who personally accepted the honor on her
fellow members’ behalf at the society’s 48th Biennial
Convocation.
“Service is as important to the chapter as it is to the
University,” said Erica. During her tenure, the chapter supported
causes such as “
Light it Up Blue,” a University-wide event promoting autism
awareness; “Autism Speaks,” an international advocacy group;
“Rachel’s Challenge,” a volunteer initiative in memory of a
Columbine massacre victim; Tabs 4 Kids, a fundraiser for children’s
hospitals; and
Jumpstart, which promotes early literacy in low-income
preschools.
Erica also earned honors for academic distinction. In 2009, The
School of Education appointed her to the Dean’s Scholars, the
division’s highest honor for students. Two years later, she was
named Co-Executive Scholar, helping to tighten the group’s
guidelines and mentoring new members.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Erica said she comes from a “St.
John’s family.” Her brother, Edward Zissel ’09CPS, majored in
Hospitality Management at the University, and her mother,
JoAnne, is a long-time employee. Currently working in Academic Support for Student
Athletes, Erica’s mother joins her in service activities
sponsored by Campus Ministry and Student Affairs.
“Everything about St. John’s is helping to make me a better
teacher,” she said. “But it’s always seemed like much more than a
school — for me, it’s a second home.