Erica Zissel '12Ed

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.