Sisters can be close, and sisters can be best friends. Twin sisters from Mt. Pleasant have forged that bond even further. They are both teachers in the same grade at the same school.
Andria Slavick and Erica Caletri grew up close, and as twins go, shared similar likes and interests, but both sisters also shared the same dream for their future -- enjoying a career working with children as elementary teachers.
"I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was a young girl," Slavick said. "My sisters and I would play school together. I never really thought about doing anything else."
Today, the sisters teach in the same school district, the same school and the same grade level.
Both are teaching kindergarten classes at Rumbaugh Elementary School in the Mt. Pleasant district. Their classrooms are directly across the hall from each other.
The sisters attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, each majoring in education. The twins roomed together in college.
When first hired, the sisters taught first grade at Donegal Elementary School. When the district opted to start all-day kindergarten this year, the sisters bid for the open spots.
"I was the first one to bid on kindergarten, and I was very hesitant because we were not sure if we would both get the kindergarten jobs," Caletri said. "We were very excited when we found out that we were both the new kindergarten teachers and even more excited when we saw that our rooms were directly across the hall from each other."
The sisters each spent several years teaching at higher levels in elementary. Kindergarten was a change, one that both relish.
"I really enjoy working with the younger students," Slavick said, adding that the transition was eye opening. "I honestly do not think that I was prepared for what my first month would be like in kindergarten. They are so young and for many of them, it is their first time in a school setting. Every day is interesting, challenging and unique. The students have come so far in less than half a year. That is a reward for me, watching them grow as learners."
"I love teaching kindergarten and I give my students a lot of credit," Caletri said. "Days are long and my 5 and 6 year olds make it through the day without complaints. The students are full of hugs and love, and make my job extremely rewarding. I ran into a parent over Christmas break and the parent said that her child was ready to come back to school the day after Christmas. Now that is rewarding."
Although siblings working in the same school district is not uncommon, the twins landing their identical position may be.
"It certainly is unique," Rumbaugh Principal Lance Benteler said. "And both of them have adapted very well to the full-day program and the class curriculum."
The sisters find joy in having the other right next door -- or at least across the hall.
""We work on our lesson plans and share ideas constantly," Caletri said. "It is great to have my best friend by my side throughout my work and my personal life, because we have always done everything together. I often take it for granted, but then I stop and think how lucky I am."
"I love working with my sister," Slavick said. "I realize how lucky I am to be teaching a grade I love with a friend and sister that I love."
