Throughout his four years at Rider, David worked for the Admission Office as a campus tour guide. He also worked three years as a student assistant in the Office of the Dean in the College of Education and one year as an orientation leader.
Why David chose Rider
David grew up right in Lawrenceville, NJ, so Rider was part of his neighborhood. But he knew very little about the University until he visited and met current faculty and students. “The minute I walked onto campus I knew exactly where I wanted to be,” he says. “Everyone was so warm and welcoming.”
As an education major, he was excited to learn his classroom experiences would begin during his sophomore year. “That was very important to me. I didn’t want to wait until I was a student teacher to get into a classroom,” he says. David also was intrigued by Rider’s short-term study abroad program and the many opportunities it offers students to become involved on campus.
My professors inspired me. They passed on a passion for teaching and an individual focus I’ll carry with me into my own classroom.
Special Education Teacher, West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
Rider's impact on David's career
David quickly became involved at Rider. He was voted freshman class president and joined numerous organizations, including Relay for Life, the Rider Student Education Association and Council for Exceptional Children. He also held several campus jobs, took on numerous leadership positions and was accepted into Rider’s nationally acclaimed Leadership Development Program. “My activities allowed me to learn things outside the classroom. I built my skills in leadership and collaboration; I learned to take risks and to think on my feet,” says David. “These are real life experiences that I can transfer to the classroom.”
By the end of his sophomore year, David had completed two practicums at elementary schools, including a special education internship focused on students with autism spectrum disorder. He went on to complete two additional practicums and a student teaching assignment over the next two years. “That hands-on experience was invaluable to my career,” he says.
A proven leader
David’s many leadership activities included Rider’s Student Education Association (SEA) and Council for Exceptional Children. As a student leader, he helped secure annual transportation funding for education majors to attend a state convention and worked with the SEA executive board to host the nation’s first student-run EdCamp on a college campus. In addition to earning a Certificate in Leadership, David was honored with the prestigious 2018 Leadership Legacy Award from Rider’s Center for the Development of Leadership Skills in recognition of his efforts.
Continued success
Two months before graduation, David was offered a full-time position as a special education teacher at Millstone River Elementary School in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District — the same school where he completed his junior practicum in Spring 2017. “It was such a relief to be hired so early. I felt like all my hard work paid off,” he says.
When he went to sign his contract, the district supervisor said they needed a substitute special education teacher at Grover Middle School. David started that job immediately after graduation and worked through the end of the school year in June. “It was such a great learning experience and a great start to my teaching career!” says David.