Senior Kaitlyn Regulbuto Hired by Detroit's Covenant House Academy

Meet Kaitlyn Regulbuto '21

Job Title & Employer: Special Education Teacher, Covenant House Academy
Major/Program: English
Minor: Education, Women and Gender Studies
College Activities: Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Hometown: Hawley, Pa.
High School: Wallenpaupack Area High School
Now Living In: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Relocating to Detroit, Mi.
Hobbies & Interests: Reading, writing, live music, coffee and exploring new cities

"I have learned a lot about who I am as a person and learner through Point Park. Being here has taught me so much about how to be a good member of the communities I live in and love, as well as how to grow into my own independence. I have become my most authentic self because of the people I have met through Point Park and Pittsburgh."

Kaitlyn Regulbuto '21

Why did you choose Point Park University?

I chose Point Park primarily because of its location. I have always loved cities and knew I wanted to live in one, and Point Park's campus was perfectly situated near many of Pittsburgh's hotspots.

How did you land your job with Covenant House Academy school?

I landed my job with Covenant House Academy through an online job database. I was looking for jobs that were focused heavily on serving the community, and CHA was perfect for that. Some of my duties will include working on curriculum, lesson planning and, of course, working with students.

I am excited about working with secondary education students and getting to learn about them as individuals. I am also excited to grow in our community together, be a part of their lives and the opportunity to learn together. The school community is great and so is their mission, and I am so glad and thankful to be a part of it.

How has Point Park and the Department of Literary Arts and Social Justice prepared you professionally?

The Department of Literary Arts and Social Justice provided connections and support that have been essential to helping me professionally. The professors have always been willing to look over resumes, drafts of cover letters and write letters of recommendation. They always provide coursework that is creative, and they allowed me to think outside of the box, which prepared me for interviews and how to stand out. I have also been involved in a lot of community activities because of the literary arts department and their focus on learning outside of the classroom, such as going to poetry readings, bringing in outside speakers and more. This really helped me flourish in finding jobs and internships that showed my passion for giving back to the community.

How would you describe the faculty and coursework?

The coursework is engaging and fulfilling work that challenges students to write from their own voices. While picking a favorite professor would be a hard task, I would not be anywhere without Jessica McCort, Barbara Barrow, and Sarah Perrier. They have truly allowed me to grow as a learner and person, while providing advice and support through the process. They've supported my work fully and given me pushes to think outside of my comfort zone and honest feedback when I needed it. My favorite class to date has been Haunted America with Dr. McCort, as it truly taught me about my love for gothic and horror literature and that I might one day want to pursue a career in it.

You completed internships at Carnegie Science Center and the Homeless Children's Education Fund. Describe those experiences.

Both positions were outside of my comfort zone. At Carnegie Science Center, I worked on STEM education. At HCEF, I worked on data analysis. These internships required me to be adaptable and to think on my feet, as I was often doing things outside of what I was used to doing in my studies in the literary arts department. I also learned so much about the nonprofit world, which has been my true passion for quite some time. I was given insight about how they run, how we connect to our communities efficiently and how to give back in ways far better than many textbooks could have taught me.

Aside from what you've learned in the classroom, what have you learned from your experience at Point Park?

I have learned a lot about who I am as a person and learner through Point Park. Being here has taught me so much about how to be a good member of the communities I live in and love, as well as how to grow into my own independence. I have become my most authentic self because of the people I have met through Point Park and Pittsburgh.

Senior Kaitlyn Regulbuto Hired by Detroit's Covenant House Academy Student Profile