West Genesee (NY) Intermediate School teacher Dan Strumlok G’16, G’23 has traded leading platoons into battle for leading classrooms into knowledge. After three tours of Afghanistan with infantry units and leading a Marines infantry platoon, Strumlok returned to college to take an M.B.A. from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management in 2016 and then an M.S. in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) from the School of Education.
Strumlok was the subject of a 2016 profile in the Syracuse Post-Standard, discussing his love of a 1950 Chrysler Imperial purchased while he was still on active duty at Camp Lejeune: “I’m not really a car person but … I saw it and thought it was beautiful.”
Describe your current role and its responsibilities.
I am currently a 6th grade teacher at West Genesee Intermediate School, where I teach Science and Social Studies. The most important responsibility I have is making sure that the kids who come into the classroom are mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to learn.
How did the School of Education prepare you for this role?
SOE prepared me for this endeavor by providing great role models in the professors. They didn’t just show us how to teach in multiple different settings, they also explained how and why small changes in how we as educators do things can result in big leaps in understanding for students.
What current trends do you see in your specialty and how are you addressing them?
One soft trend I have seen in my classroom is that kids are much more aware of emotional intelligence, even if they aren’t fully there yet in recognizing their own emotions. They also seem to be a lot more accepting of their peers and less afraid to be themselves.
On a large scale, across education, is the use and integration of artificial intelligence (AI). It’s a continuously and rapidly evolving environment, and I strive to expose students to different tools and creative ways to positively use AI. Even if all we do is generate a picture of a neolithic person marveling at a fireworks display, to close a discussion on how neolithic peoples might see modern technology as magic, exposure and engagement have been achieved.
“The sheer depth of experience I gained by the extensive placement is part of what made my interview process shine.”
Which professors stood out for you most as a student at SOE?
Professor Reba Hodge taught me that teaching is a revolutionary act, and the importance of keeping a personal textual lineage. Professor Sharon Dotger brings so much passion for the art and science of teaching, and showed my cohort how valuable collaboration is. Professor Duane Graysay was my first experience going back to higher education for the third time, and he left a great first impression.
Make a pitch for SOE—why should a prospective student choose the School of Education?
The hands-on experience gained was the most valuable part of the SOE experience. Being able to work across different grade levels and different schools was a powerful teacher in itself. The sheer depth of experience I gained by the extensive placement is part of what made my interview process shine. I had a relevant story to connect with each question and was hired right out of school.