Education Career Services, Grove City College

Featuring Gaetano Brancaleone '11
Position: 4th Grade Teacher
School: Bering Strait School District
Location: Savoonga, Alaska

Saturday make-up classes online

♦ How did you connect with this job opportunity?
♦ What attracted you to this position?
♦ What are the most gratifying aspects of your job?
♦ What has been your biggest challenge as a first-year teacher?
♦ How did your time at GCC prepare you for the teaching field?
♦ What advice would you give to a current pre-service teacher in order to better prepare for his or her future classroom?
♦ What job search tips would you give to GCC students?

How did you connect with this job opportunity?
Through none other than the PERC Job Fair! Go there—prepared.

What attracted you to this position?
A shot at adventure while life still allowed it, and perhaps a certain budget cut in PA that closed other doors. (God works in mysterious ways.)

What are the most gratifying aspects of your job?
Relationships (both with co-workers and especially with students - you come to care about these kids, if you don't, go home), whales, walruses, snowball fights in September...to name a few.

What has been your biggest challenge as a first-year teacher?
Time management. As a teacher there is always a ton to learn and a ton to do. As a new teacher that is increased tenfold. Find a balance as soon as you can. Take time to rest.

How did your time at GCC prepare you for the teaching field?
It fostered a work ethic in me, gave me a bank of knowledge and experiences to pull from, and allowed me to build lasting relationships with God-honoring people.

What advice would you give to current pre-service teachers in order to better prepare for his or her future classroom?
Use your time at GCC wisely. Don't make the mistake of working hard for the purpose of getting good grades. Work hard with the purpose of actually learning, and then take what you've learned to actually think about how you want your future classroom to run BEFORE God gives you one. I'm serious—go to the-all-wonderful Walmart and buy a journal. Start thinking and writing down ideas that you would like to implement or try in your classroom one day.

Take those portfolios seriously. You have two choices. You can haphazardly put together a portfolio for the purpose of getting a good grade, which will still take you hours. Or, you can invest some real time and effort into creating a tool that will be a great resource and save you oodles of time when you are actually out in the field.

What job search tips would you give to GCC students?
Don't procrastinate—get your stuff together and out there early. Mrs. Snyder! Mrs. Snyder! Mrs. Snyder! Quit putting it off, and go talk to her! Be open to the vast range of possibilities that God may have in store for you.

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