Tell me a little about your experience as an educator and your background.
I received my teaching degree from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania and then I taught a year of fifth grade in the Penns Valley School District. I moved to Liverpool and have been working at Soule Road Elementary for 19 years, 10 in fourth grade and 9 in sixth.
What do you hope to achieve as an educator? What are your goals for the students?
Obviously, there is the curriculum, state standards and subject areas. So that’s number one. But along with that, I want them to be good people. One of the things that I emphasize is the “unwritten curriculum” and that is using your manners, being respectful and being responsible. All the qualities to be good, productive citizens. We have a wide range of abilities in various subject areas. I hope that each student can be challenged at their level and progress.
Greg is an amazing teacher. The only thing bigger than his personality is his heart.
– Anthony Campagna
What are some unique ways that you help your students learn?
I try to be real with them. I make corny jokes and try to relate to them on a personal level. It’s important to learn personal things about them so I can try to make a connection with them. I am that type of teacher that will jump up on tables. I will sneak up on kids and catch them being good. Just be goofy to catch and keep their attention.
How do you help your students learn difficult concepts?
In math, there are usually multiple ways to solve problems and I fully encourage that. When we share student work, we can talk about their different thought processes. For example, some students solve best by drawing pictures. I have them dialogue with each other so that they’re receptive to other ways of solving. When we share, we find the positives in each of their work and they learn that it’s okay to make mistakes.
What do you love most about teaching?
What I love most are the kids. My undergrad degree was in recreation and parks. I love playing games, activities and sports. When I got my teaching degree, I was still able to use that piece of me to adapt games into a learning environment.
What advice would you give new teachers?
Embrace the fact that you’re new and try different things. Be a sponge, soak up whatever you can from the people around you. Take advantage of the professional development that the district offers to better yourself and be a lifelong learner.
