I am Mx. G. Mitsdarfer. Some of my earliest memories include playing school and making worksheets and seating charts for my stuffed animals. Even though I am now a lot older, creating worksheets not using a crayon, and teaching students not my teddy bears, that passion for teaching is still there.
My philosophy in education is simple. While teaching books like To Kill a Mockingbird and Romeo and Juliet along with the lessons they carry is very important for developing a well-rounded adult, the random life lessons and relationships made through life have just as important, if not more. Most teachers have had a teacher who inspired them to become a teacher; I was fortunate and had many. After the tragic loss of a close family member in middle school, teachers were there to support me through the struggles. My goal is to be that for my students, regardless of what struggle they might be facing that day.
Teachers, like me, are in this profession for one main reason: the students whose lives we can make a positive impact on. I entered the field of education because of the impact that my teachers had on my life, particularly right after the tragic loss of my father when I was 11 years old. For those reasons, my philosophy as a teacher is rather student centered. I tend to follow a mix of the social recontructivism theory and constructivism theory with influences from both the perennialism and behaviorism theories. Students should always play an active part in their own education; their interests should be considered while also knowing the importance of the classics in terms of a typical education. For example, if a group of students has a particular interest in studying war, an English teacher could present the movie version of Macbeth to combine student interest with appreciation for classical literature, or a teacher could use the graphic novel Maus to teach about the Holocaust in a medium that is more of interest to the students compared to a typical novel or textbook. I am grateful to be able to play an active part in building the future leaders of tomorrow who happen to also be well rounded adults. I am a firm believer in the Nelson Mandela quote, “The youth today are the leaders of tomorrow.” Not every student needs to understand the sonnet form to be a successful adult, but the lessons that can be taught through sonnets are what is important; sometimes the lesson about life is more important than the lesson about a specific topic in English or mathematics, yet that is not to say that those are not important to be well-rounded adults.
I made the choice to go into my field with two certifications so that I can best serve my students no matter what area I end up in. Understanding the workings of both general education and special education will allow my pedagogy to be of benefit to all students because at the end of the day I am there for them. Students deserve the best education that fits their learning style and their needs, and it is my goal to be able to accomplish that every year, every month, every week, every day, and every minute I spend in the classroom. Every teacher should follow this, for we are here to benefit our students and allow them to become good human beings in a better society than we are in today or any day that has existed in the past. I always strive to serve as a guide for those who need one, a shoulder to cry on for those who need one, an accepting adult for those who need one, and a book nerd for those who need one too. At the end of the day, it is being there for students that makes a good teacher, not having the best test scores or having the kids who follow every single rule. Malala defines education in a light that I wish I had the ability to: "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." My goal is to always be that teacher that helps to change the world in a positive way.
Throughout my journey to become a classroom educator, I have found a passion for educational advocacy along with diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. These issues should be pertinent and important to all educators, especially special educators. I worked as the forefront of the movement to establish and continue the PHEAA Student Teacher Support Program, a program that provides student teachers with a $10,000 stipend and co-operating teacher with a $2,500 stipend to support both during the student teaching experience. This effort is not only there to pay student teachers for their hard work for over 10 weeks, but also an effort to increase educator diversity in Pennsylvania. I did not do this work for me; while I may be benefiting from the stipend, I know that its impact and importance go beyond me. Allowing more people to have the financial possibilty of becoming educators helps schools and students. Advocacy is a core pillar in education, especially when it comes to our students. That work does not stop at the door to the classroom, and I never hope to stop at the walls of my classroom.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi
Fun Facts about Mx. M!
Throughout my life, I have always had a passion for the performing arts, specifically drama and theatre. I have performed in many productions; some of my favorites that I appeared in were Matilda (pictured above) and Sister Act! In school, I had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall and at the top of the Empire State Building in New York City, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in D.C., and in Walt Disney World in Florida.
Since a young age, I have found joy in traveling across the globe to experience different cultures and how they live life differently than I do. I have been able to visit two continents and many countries across the Western Hemisphere. Two of my favorite travel experiences include visiting a school and family farm in the northern part of the Republica Dominicana and saving baby sea turtles in Cozumel, Mexico!
HEY, HOBY! Since my sophomore year of high school, I have become very involved in the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar of Central Pennsylvania. I was selected that year to represent my school at the seminar as their ambassador. I have gone back to volunteer every year since, most notably at the Emcee for the 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, & 2026 seminars! This organization has become an OUTSTANDING part of my life!
My love for education blossomed the moment that I got involved in PSEA at the student level. During the 2025 conference, I was elected as the State Political Action Committee for Education (PACE) Director. During the 2025-26 year, I also serve on the PSEA Legislative Committee, NEA ACAE, and NEA AE Caucus Board (Lead Director). Through Student PSEA, I have been able to advocate for public education at the Pennsylvania State Capitol!
"One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world."
-Malala Yousafzai
Read More About Mx. M!
“I’m convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.”
- Maya Angelou
Educational Advocacy
Mx. Mitsdarfer is not just an educator, but they are also an educational speaker and award-winning educational advocate. Throughout their undergraduate journey, they quickly worked to research educational equity and multiculturalism in schools. They presented their research on diverse literature at the PASSHE Fredrick Douglas Research and Creative Arts Conference. Mx. Mitsdarfer has also been a panel presenter at the Educators Rising State Conference in 2024 (Millersville, PA) and 2025 (State College, PA).
Mx. Mitsdarfer continues to advocate legislatively in Harrisburg as a member of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, in particular for the Student Teacher Support Program, the program run by PHEAA that provides stipends for student teachers across the Commonwealth, and a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for Pre-Act 9 retired educators. As an active educator, they plan to continue their advocacy efforts for equitable schools and fair pay for student teachers and retired educators.
