Slippery Rock University alumna Amber Winchester, ’21, ’26M, is establishing herself as a proven, forward-thinking leader in education through her work as a partial hospitalization teacher at Pressley Ridge Day School in Pittsburgh. Winchester is such a vital member of Pressley Ridge’s educational community that the organization named her its Teacher of the Year for 2025.
Winchester always wanted to be a teacher, and she knew that SRU was the best place for her to gain the skills and experiences she needed to thrive in her chosen career.
“What made SRU my top choice was the amount of experience that you get as an undergrad,” said Winchester, who earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/special education. “I also heard that the professors were really good, but it wasn’t until I got here that I realized just how incredible the education team here is.”
After completing her dual certification in general and special education at SRU, she returned for her transitions certification and Master of Education in science and mathematics, making herself a versatile and highly prepared educator.
Winchester also spoke to the commitment that the SRU faculty have for ensuring that teachers are prepared to give equitable, high-quality instruction to all learners, something that Winchester has taken into her own career.
“As a partial hospitalization teacher, I work in special education in a blended classroom, primarily working with suicidal teens.” Winchester explained. “In my work, I’m always striving to do something bigger, do something better. I love a challenge, because then I put my mind to making it happen and it happens.”
For Winchester, part of this is getting her kids out of the classroom and out into the community.
“Last year, I got all of the kids in the high school program their library cards, just to make sure that they have access to the right resources, but also so that they have the ability to do really cool stuff that makes them feel like they have purpose,” Winchester said.
As a transitions focused educator, Winchester centers her work around ensuring that students are not only academically prepared for life after school, but also emotionally prepared and in possession of the skills and coping mechanisms needed to be independent adults who fully participate in their communities.
“The big thing for the high school years is making sure that students have the right resources to be set up for adulthood, and a lot of that requires the ability to advocate and be persistent and jump through the same hoop several times to make sure that a kid gets what they need,” Winchester said. “My SRU education prepared me to do all of that.”
More information about the early childhood/special education and Master of Education in mathematics and science programs at SRU is available on the program webpages.
