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An education student reads to young children.
Above: Point Park education student reading in the classroom

Thanks to the PERC Education Job Fair and the support and guidance from education faculty and Career Development Center staff, several Point Park education spring 2016 graduates have full-time teaching positions lined up for the fall.

"We engage in a number of activities to put our students in the best position to find employment after they graduate, including having them spend a day at the PERC Job Fair," remarked Richard Gutkind, Ph.D., associate professor of education and director of education graduate programs.

"PERC is one of the largest job fairs for educators in the country. Many of our students have walked out of the fair with job offers from schools both locally and nationally," Gutkind added.

In addition to the PERC Job Fair, Point Park education students meet with faculty and Career Development Center staff for help with their resumes, cover letters and Pennsylvania Department of Education applications and engage in on-campus mock interviews conducted by experienced educators throughout the Pittsburgh area.

Also, during their student teaching term, education students are required to take a Student Teaching Seminar class.

"The purpose of this class is for students to debrief on their experiences in the schools, to discuss issues related to the real world of teaching and to begin creating individual portfolios," explained Gutkind.

Hear from the following Point Park University spring 2016 education graduates and see where they have landed full-time teaching positions:

Pictured is Lauren Arico, 2016 education alumna and elementary teacher for Legacy Tradition School in Phoenix, Ariz. | Photo submitted by Arico

 

Lauren Arico

B.A. in 4th-8th Grade Math and PreK-8th Grade Special Education
Elementary teacher, Legacy Traditional School, Phoenix, Ariz.

"My resume was in pristine condition thanks to Point Park's Career Development staff and the faculty. One of the best parts about Point Park's education department is that all of the professors are experienced and teach what is relevant in the field. They are dedicated to our success as future teachers."

Pictured is Rishee Smith-Belloquet, 2016 education alumna and sixth grade English Language Arts teacher for Propel Hazelwood in Pittsburgh, Pa. | Photo by Jim Judkis

 

Rishee Smith-Belloquet

B.A. in 4th-8th Grade English
Sixth grade English Language Arts teacher, Propel Hazelwood, Pittsburgh, Pa.

"By the time I left the PERC Job Fair, I had four job offers and two actual contracts. I was blown away. I implemented everything I was taught at Point Park and, as a result, had job offers before I graduated. I was thrilled and thankful!"

Pictured is Jaclyn Hazard, 2016 education alumna and first grade teacher at Unity School in Delray Beach, Fla. | Photo submitted by Hazard

Jaclyn Hazard

Post-Baccalaureate B.A. in PreK-4th grade with a minor in Special Education
First grade teacher, Unity School, Delray Beach, Fla.

"I cannot rave enough about Point Park University's education department. For my undergrad, I went to a very large college where I never got to know my professors. At Point Park, the professors are not only passionate about teaching, but they are your biggest supporters. They truly helped me grow as a person and an educator."

Pictured is Andrew Rauluk, 2016 education alumnus and high school biology teacher at Overland High School in Aurora, Colo. | Photo by Chris Rolinson

Andrew Rauluk

Post-Baccalaureate B.S. in Secondary Education Biological Sciences
High school biology teacher, Overland High School, Aurora, Colo.


"The PERC Job Fair was an amazing event and opened me up to a world of opportunities in education. Also, Point Park's student teaching seminar class with faculty and the Career Development Center was absolutely essential to my landing this job. It gave me the extra preparation I needed to have positive, successful interviews and the tools to fine-tune my resume and cover letter."

Denise Beverina Moore, Point Park education instructor and student teaching outreach coordinator, makes it a priority to place students in schools where they will be challenged and receive the guidance they need to lead a classroom.

"As faculty, we are very engaged and committed to the students," said Beverina Moore. "We really give our students personalized attention and encourage life-long learning in the constantly changing field of education."

Learn More

Learn more about the undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate education programs offered at Point Park University and check out the education alumni and student success stories.

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