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=A lil' about Steph: = 

Hello everyone! As we all continue to plug away at our graduate degrees at Waynesburg University, I think it is interesting to see where we all came from throughout the years and even where we are headed. I have grown up in Pittsburgh, and I plan to raise a family of my own in Pittsburgh as well. I live in a city neighborhood. No, I do not live downtown, but I can see the buildings from my deck. I find many advantages to living in Pittsburgh, especially the sports' environment that surrounds us. One thing that I have gained from experiences is that I am definitely a city girl. I gained this knowledge particularly after I attened Clarion University for my undergrad. I had fun and learned a lot while I was there, but I know I could not live in that kind of atmosphere.

While at Clarion, I received my teaching degree in Secondary English in Spring 2007. It took me five years to get there because for three years I was pursuing an educational degree in physics and math. However, I know English is where I belong because of my personality. In physics and math, playing with numbers and teaching the concepts to students were practical for me. However, I like the availability to change throughout different years, which teaching English provides me. This year, I have been a permanent sub at Langley High School (Pittsburgh Public School District). I have learned an awful lot of skills and concepts while there this year. I am just hoping I can put all of that to use next year.

Besides all of the planning that goes into the first year of teaching and grad school, I have also been busy planning a wedding as well. In Novemeber, I gained the "fiance" title and am planning a wedding for June of 2009. There is a lot that I am looking forward to in my future. However, I'll take my time to get there. :)  Steph, Another fellow Clarion grad! I love Pittsburgh too, and after living in Clarion for 4 years, realized how much I missed tall buildings :) I think that your personality definitely fits with the English teacher persona, just from the couple of classes that I have had with you! Congrats on the engagement and good luck with the wedding plans! Kristen

Steph, I think its interesting to see how different you and I are! I grew up in the little town of Washington, Pa. Now I am living in Bethel Park, and I think its to close to the city! Its so interesting to see how someone who grew up in this environment feel differently about it compared to someone who grew up in the "cut." I feel like it to busy, and I would rather walk out my door and see cows in the backyard! ~Brandy  **Steph, I'm going to have to agree with Brandy on this one. I am a born and raised country girl and will always be a country girl. After moving away from my little country home out in the middle of no where, I moved into a one bedroom apartment with (at the time) my boyfriend, turned fiance, turned husband, in Canonsburg. That was ok for me, I was loving the new experience. Then, we went from there to a small house that we rented in the borough of Houston. I hated it! I couldn't do anything outside with any privacy. Then finally in July of last year, we bought a beautiful home in Amwell Township, just below Washington. It's in the country where I can sit on my porch and look out over the fields as they blow in the wind. So, in a way, I'm like you because I want to stick close to my roots and the way that I grew up. Kristy

Steph,

I'm going to disagree with the two above. I'm definitely a city girl. I enjoyed going to Duquesne and being in the city... never a dull moment. While I don't actually live in Pittsburgh, all the houses across the street from me are the city so I'm as close as you can get. I work in an area that is somewhat country like and could never stand to live out there! I'm a Pittsburgh girl too and am never leaving!

Kristin

Steph, I'm definately not a city girl, I grew up in the country (not too country, but not city) and I can't stand the busy-ness of the city. I grew up in the north hills near where Kristin and I teach now and rarely ever went into town. When my fiance and I moved to Moon Township, I was forced to cross the river, and go through those tunnels, and now I do it all the time to visit my parents and go to work! Its nice to be close enough to the city that you can go do something in town without spending an hour to get there, but I enjoy the privacy and the roads with LESS TRAFFIC! Good Luck finding that job! Michaelene

Steph (AKA my grad school best bud),

Well somehow I accidentally changed Michaelene's colors on her post up above (who knows how that happened).

I can't imagine living in the city. I grew up in the small town of Houston, PA. Kevin grew up next door to me and we want to buy a house in the same neighborhood as soon as we get married. I can't imagine living that close to the city, but I think that it all depends where you grow up and what you are most comfortable with. I know you are so busy planning your wedding and working and I am very appreciative of the fact that you still take the time to calm me down during class :) -Tamra

Steph,

I'm sure the physics and math background has served you well along with the English. Do find that an English degree makes you more marketable than the other? I know districts seem to always be looking for math and science teachers. I'm with you, though, on the English end of the spectrum. Even though I teach math it would not be my first choice. I was kind of drafted into it. I think verbal, outgoing people like you (myself included) are best suited for the language field. Good luck to you as you work toward a permanent position. Mary 

Steph, Since we were on the subject of city or country. I would have to say I am definitely a city girl. But i do love my weekends on my inlaws 80 acres in Warren County (3hrs north). I don't think I could find my self living there for any extended period of time. My grandfather and mother were both english majors... that was fun growing up..lol. But I do think that I learned more form them that I did until I got to college. SO I am glad to see that there is at least 1 good English teacher out there. :)

Fawna **