Marc Sirico
Marc Sirico, twenty-one years old, commutes to Pace everyday. However, he has a short distance to travel as he lives right here in Pleasantville.
Marc has decided to follow the five year combined degree program for Educational Technology Specialist in the School of Education. Currently, he is finishing up the undergraduate program for Teaching Adolescents and History. He says, “I have successfully passed the three certification tests required by New York State to be a teacher,” an accomplishment of which he is most proud. He will graduate next spring with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and hopes to teach Social Studies. His grade preference lies between the 7th and 12th grades. In regards to the future, he says, “Maybe, years down the road, I would love to pursue a career in school administration, becoming a principal or something like that. But it’s too early to say even that; I may love teaching and never want to do anything else.”
Marc’s passion for working with kids is apparent in his dedication to teaching, as well as his work the past three summers as head counselor at Pleasantville Day Camp. This semester, Marc is student teaching at Sleepy Hollow Middle/High School. He says, “Student teaching, thus far, has been both very demanding and very rewarding. I have the opportunity to experiment with my ideas in the classroom. My students have been very responsive and my mentor teacher and I have developed a good working relationship. I have the freedom to attempt new things in his classroom.” Last year, Marc worked as a substitute teacher at both Pleasantville Middle School and Bedford Road School in Pleasantville — which he attended as a student not too long ago. He described the job as bizarre at first, since most of the teachers he had as a student were still there. But, he adds that he was “fascinated to hear their perspectives on teaching.”
He offers this advice to his fellow Honors classmates, “Never sell yourself short. Reach for the stars. I think people often pursue a career because their parents or family demand they pursue that career. If you have a dream career, I strongly believe you should pursue that dream. Life is too short.” He adds, “I wish I had been more involved in on-campus activities in my early years at Pace. So, my advice to the first- and second-year students is to join clubs and get involved. As for the rest, don't think because you are only here for a year or two more that you have the right to slack off. Put forth all the effort you can, because you are paying for this education, and you should get the most out of it.”
