Hannah Ruch

Current Position: Newtown Elementary School Building Substitute (Council Rock School District) 

Story posted: Fall 2024
Job title updated: Summer 2026

After graduating from Abington High School, Hannah Ruch tried living away for her first semester of college, but ultimately realized she was not ready to take that step. She took some time for herself and explored other options, deciding to return to college to study nursing.

Hannah completed her general education courses at Bucks County Community College and when she began at GMercyU, she bonded with her classmates almost immediately.

“One of my really good friends was in all of my classes, and I made some really great new girlfriends, too. I thought, 'This is going to be amazing,'" Hannah said.

Things really clicked when she realized that majoring in Education, instead of Nursing, was the best fit for her.

Experience in Education

Since switching her major to Education, Hannah has had an incredible time on her college journey.

I changed to education, and it was a complete flip. I was in love. This was the best thing I’ve ever done. My anxiety with school completely subsided.

Hannah has particularly enjoyed her experiences with Dr. Cheryl Malfi and Professor Stephanie Alderfer.

“Dr. Malfi has been an amazing mentor,” Hannah said. “She has shown me so much, and she’s so patient with everyone. She shows individual support.”

Professor Alderfer taught Hannah’s Education 101 class and offer students the unique opportunity to hear from educators from all walks of life. One shared his experience as a teacher in Philadelphia, Pa. and one shared the differences between the Pennsylvania and South Carolina school systems. The experience illustrated to Hannah that there are more paths for teachers than a traditional classroom.

“Professor Alderfer is so easy to talk to. She hears me, she listens to us, and I can just go to her and rant. It’s the same thing with Dr. Malfi. I could just go to her and she can hear me and listen, and I think that’s so important,” Hannah said.

Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP)

Hannah is currently in her third semester in the Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP). She completed her first two semesters in second and third grade classrooms at Highland Elementary School within the Abington School District.

“The principal was actually my former principal, so that was super fun and super cool, and his mom is an adjunct in one of GMercyU’s graduate programs,” Hannah said.

Her first semester was spent in third grade and the experience really allowed her to dip her toes into the world of education. As a babysitter for many years, Hannah was familiar with the maturity level of the students due to their ages. Hannah’s second semester was spent in a second-grade classroom at the same school.

I think that age is so transformative. They can be a totally different student from first to second grade, so it’s so cool to watch them grow up. I love it.

She recalled one student in her classroom who she described as a “tough cookie” because he would always get distracted. He was one of those kids whose attention needed to be redirected, but Hannah enjoyed the challenge.

“He was one of my favorite students. He was always coming up and giving me a hug and thanking me for being in the class with him. It’s always the tough cookies that I’ve kind of clicked with,” she shared.

Hannah also remembered a student who received what was called a “Celebrity Ticket” for doing something good. The student received the ticket for helping a nonverbal classmate and playing with him. Hannah reinforced her positive behavior.

Observing at CHOP

For her third semester of TAP, Hannah is observing at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The idea came to her after attending GMercyU’s Autism Conference in April 2024 where she met her now-manager Stephanie, who gave a presentation on teachers at CHOP. 

Inspired to learn more, Hannah met with Dr. Malfi to discuss the possibility, who immediately went to work to try to make it happen.

In mid-July, Dr. Malfi heard back from the representative at CHOP with the official go-ahead to move forward. Fast forward to mid-September, Hannah began her TAP journey at CHOP.

Immediately I got there, I’ve never felt so welcomed in my life. I told Dr. Malfi that they all knew my name and how they said, ‘Hannah, we’re so excited to have you,'

Hannah is currently shadowing six teachers, all of whom are close in age to her, making it easy to relate to and have conversations with. In the few short weeks since she started, Hannah has capitalized on her learning and grown as a person.

“I’ve learned so much, and you feel so grateful for what you have grown up with if you haven’t been in the hospital,” Hannah shared. “I saw these two little girls who have cancer, and they’re so happy to be alive and to be learning, and you get to see what’s important versus what’s not important.”

Hannah observes teachers in a one-on-one environment, where parents and/or guardians as well as nurses and doctors are often present. She’s seen first-hand how the one-on-one environment makes the students more comfortable and allows for more bonding.

“None of the kids so far have shown that they're upset or in pain. They’re just like, ‘Let’s read a story. Let’s do our math,’” said Hannah.

On her first day, Hannah debriefed with Stephanie on the effects and realities of being a teacher at CHOP. Stephanie shared that the teachers deal with not only the loss of a patient, but also the grief or stress the parents feel if their child was in an accident or has a chronic illness.

“I haven’t talked to the teachers one-on-one about this, but I know that they have lost patients before. So, I think it’s just the reality of the job and the environment you’re in,” Hannah said.

In her short time at CHOP, she’s come to learn that showing emotion is okay within the teaching profession. It’s okay to talk about anxiety and mental health, especially with the growing need for support.

Just asking how students are feeling that day is important. I think at the hospital it’s even more important because they’re going through such a tough time mentally and physically.

Hannah is excited to see what the rest of the semester brings for her TAP experience. So far, she feels as though she’s found her calling.

“It’s just great to see what other teachers can do outside of a [typical] classroom,” Hannah said.

Why Education?

Hannah is pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. When asked why she chose to pursue special education, Hannah recalled her lifelong friend Dante, who has a disability.

“I have a friend named Dante. I went to elementary, middle, and high school with him and he still calls me to this day once a month just to check in on me. He’s the sweetest man in the entire world and I thought, ‘I think it could be so cool to work with kids like him’,” Hannah said.

“I wish everyone was as positive as Dante,” she said.

Post-Graduation Plans

Hannah will graduate in 2026. She will start pre-student-teaching in spring 2025 in a traditional classroom setting to prepare her for next fall.

While she’s keeping her options open and exploring different avenues, Hannah is considering pursuing a career as a teacher at CHOP.

“To teach the little ones in the hospital would be so fulfilling,” Hannah said.

Hannah also has aspirations of obtaining her master's and doctorate someday.