Meet Saint Rose Double Alum, Sophia Paljevic

While she was at Saint Rose, Sophia Paljevic was a very well known face around campus. She served as Director of Social Events for Student Association for two years (planning events such as Rose Rock, Harvest Fest and blood drives), mentored a student for Help Yourself Academy, and was the Graduate Assitant for Dr. Pfister in the education department. She graduated with her B.S. in Childhood Education in May 2012, and her M.S.E.D. in Literacy in August 2013. Currently, she is a literacy teacher in the Bronx.

What was your program and why did you choose it?

The program I chose for graduate school was the Literacy (B-6) program. I chose this program because I felt that through my undergraduate courses there was still much more to learn in terms of literacy in the classroom. With the Common Core standards, the literacy aspect is in all subjects and I felt that the most effective program for myself and my future classroom would be the literacy program.

How did Saint Rose prepare you for your future endeavors?

Saint Rose prepared me for my future with its high demand for experience in actual classrooms. In almost all of my graduate courses, they had me working in real classrooms with real students. My experience with the students and seeing growth in their work reassured me that teaching was the profession for me. These experiences in the classroom provided me with the confidence that every person needs, to feel capable of being successful at a job. Saint Rose has also shown me that building a sense of community is important to one’s success. Through my experience at Saint Rose I noticed the strength in numbers and support from the entire college community. This applies for any position in teaching. Jumping in to a new job can be very overwhelming, but having the support of your colleagues around you is important to your success as well as the school’s success.

Who influenced you the most at Saint Rose?

Dr. Pfister, an education professor at Saint Rose was a big influence for me. She has guided me throughout my program and is a very selfless person. She is willing to help anyone, whether you are her student or one of her student’s friend with a question. Mr. Schaefer, another professor in education, was another influence for me at the college for similar reasons. Without these two particular faculty members support and guidance, I would not have been able to get through my program. Many of the professors in the school of education are very willing to provide help and support to students. 

Tell us a little about your job/life after Saint Rose?

After finishing my degree this past summer, I moved back home and started my job as the AIS reading teacher for grades (K-2) at an elementary school in the Bronx. My job entails me pulling students from their regular classrooms and working with them in small groups on their reading and writing. The school I work in has a very supportive staff which, in my position as a new teacher, is very helpful.

What advice can you give to prospective graduate students in your field?

Some advice I would give to prospective graduate students in the literacy field would be to embrace your time in the classroom. Working with students individually and in small groups is a great experience, but talking to the classroom teachers can provide insight into teaching. The classroom teachers have experience that they are willing to share with you.  My last note is that, whether it is your undergraduate or graduate school, at Saint Rose you are important to the professors and the community. The school provides you with a sense of belonging and that is my favorite thing about Saint Rose.

Network your way to success

The Capital Alliance of Young Professionals, better known as CAYP, is an organization that was created for professionals in their 20’s and 30’s, giving them a chance to network with others their own age. Many young professionals, who are starting a business or become employed in entry-level positions, have a difficult time furthering themselves in the business world. CAYP organizes networking events as well as service activities that benefit non-profit organizations throughout the capital region. The more people you know, the better off you are.

One of CAYP’s biggest networking events is their Holiday Party on December 14^th from 7pm to 10pm. The event is open to members as well

Photo credit to http://albanyalive.com

as non-members. The cost for non-members is $30.00 and the event includes dinner, music, and the comedic stylings of Greg Aidala. If you’ve never attended a CAYP event, this would be a great place to start. You may even see a few Saint Rose alums there! Two of our prestigious alumni are on the CAYP Board of Directors: Schuyler Bull and Brandon Downie. CAYP’s holiday party is sponsored by our very own Saint Rose Office of Graduate Admissions!

If you want to further your career, meet great people, and have fun, become a member of CAYP. The annual fee is only $50 and being a member has its benefits. Members receive discounted event fees (only $20 for the Holiday Party), opportunity to attend quarterly planning meetings with the Board of Directors, listing on the CAYP website with hyperlink to your company’s website, CAYP lapel pin and a membership card for easy registration.

For more information, visit their website. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets to their Holiday Party to see what CAYP is all about!

Top Teacher: Bryan Sawyer

As you may remember, Saint Rose alumnus Bryan Sawyer was named Top Teacher on Live With Kelly this past May. Sawyer earned a Master of Science in Education in Special Education from Saint Rose in 2005. The Top Teacher nomination was written by a parent of two of his students, one of whom, Jacob, had little or no language acquisition, no self-help skills, and no safety awareness upon entering Sawyer’s classroom.  When many other educators had given up on Jacob, Sawyer rose to the challenge and succeeded.  Jacob has made, and continues to make, amazing progress.  Just prior to the Top Teacher nomination, Jacob read a story in front of his entire class and their parents.  This is all thanks to Bryan Sawyer.

As a prize for achieving this honor, Sawyer was awarded $25,000 for his school district, laptops for his classroom, a trophy, a car, and a vacation. He currently works at Karigon Elementary School in Clifton Park where he continues to change the lives of children with special needs.

To learn more about Bryan and special education, check out the video below, or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (518) 454-5143 or grad@strose.edu!

Political Science alum reflects on the Saint Rose Difference

David P. Mahoney is at the cutting edge of educational practice and reform in New York State.  A double graduate of Saint Rose – bachelor’s in Social Studies Education, and master’s in Political Science – he is project assistant for the New York State Education Department, where he manages the state’s $673 million “Race to the Top” grant. Mahoney also implements other initiatives, such as the state’s Teacher and Principal Evaluation System, and Teacher and Principal Career Ladders.

Since he graduated in 2008, Mahoney has been active in the Saint Rose “Alumni in Admissions” initiative, volunteering at Open House events, and various Career Center activities. He also participated in the first S.A.I.N.T. Night (Students and Alumni Interested in Networking Together) in April 2011.

“The most meaningful aspect of my Saint Rose experience was truly the ‘Saint Rose Difference’. Having transferred to the school from larger university settings, for me, the difference was the ability to sit in classrooms where I felt part of a learning community,” says Mahoney, “A community where my successes were the successes of my colleagues (professors and students). Saint Rose provided me with the opportunity to grow academically and personally, as a student, a professional, and as an adult. To me, the Saint Rose Difference means everything.”

To read more about Mahoney’s accomplishments, click here.