Master's Degree in Secondary Education Student Hired by South Fayette High School Alumni Profile

How did your master’s degree in secondary education help you land a teaching position at South Fayette High School?

The master’s in secondary education program at Point Park University was extremely beneficial to me in a variety of ways. It has made me a more well-rounded educator and it has given me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone.

The School of Education faculty were amazing and you can tell they really care about each individual student. The smaller class sizes ensured that I got the attention and personalization that I needed.  Also, the network that I formed during my time at Point Park remains invaluable. 

How do you incorporate what you have learned at Point Park into your classroom?

I try to use an eclectic approach to education. I learned so many valuable lessons and gained so many useful tools during my time at Point Park. I have a much better understanding of the Danielson Framework and the importance of the four domains.

The use of technology was also something that was emphasized at Point Park and I find myself using different types of educational software on nearly a daily basis in my classroom. I also learned how to be a professional and act as a role model for my students. 

In what ways did our education faculty impact you?

The faculty at Point Park were the best part of the program for me. Every professor I had was passionate and knowledgeable on the field of education. They were also extremely flexible and understanding.

They made sure that I left Point Park with the tools I need to be successful in my own classroom. It was clear that they really cared about all of their students and were able to form close relationships as a result of the smaller class sizes.  Lastly, the faculty at Point Park instilled confidence in me which I have carried into my first teaching position. 

What are your favorite Point Park grad school memories?

One of my favorite memories during grad school was getting the chance to tour a school in the Bruderhof community in Farmington, Pa. I took this field trip with Dr. Revilla-Beltrán in a course revolving around culture in education. The trip was very enlightening and it was extremely cool to see a school in a culture that is very different from my own.  The people there were extremely kind and personable. 

I also enjoyed the various guest speakers that were brought in by Dr. Gutkind in my seminar class. Lastly, getting to observe numerous classrooms and eventually getting the chance to student teach was crucial to my development as a teacher. 

Final thoughts?

I feel very grateful and lucky to be in the position that I am now. Point Park has helped me grow so much in such a short time and I will always be grateful for that as I continue on in my teaching career. 

More About: education, South Fayette High School, alumni, graduate programs, secondary education, Moon Area High School