Point Park POV: Education Major Evan Beiter '27 Student Profile

Why did you choose Point Park’s School of Education?

I chose Point Park because I really liked how small the school is. You can easily build a bond with your professors due to the small classes. I think sometimes people downplay small schools because the “college experience” is different, which is very true, but I thought this was the experience I was supposed to have. I also just really like Pittsburgh, and I thought living Downtown would be such a cool experience.

Which faculty members and courses have had a significant impact on you? 

The education faculty members really get to know you. One in particular, Dr. Kristen Misutka, has had a huge impact on my time here. She is somebody who wants to support you and hear about your experiences, good and bad. I always feel heard when I am speaking to her, and she is always so engaged with the conversation.

Honestly, all of the education professors truly are so engaging with you as a student. They try to use the connections they have for you as much as they can — they want to help you and get you involved starting day one. They always want to talk with you, even if it is just to talk about something that is going on in your life personally. They are here for you professionally and emotionally.

@pointparku Education major Evan Beiter ’27 is turning his passion for teaching into real-world experience — from classroom observations to teaching abroad in Ireland 🇮🇪 Follow along to see what it's like to bond with your professors and live in Downtown Pittsburgh! #PointParkU #PointParkUniversity #DowntownPittsburgh #PointParkPOV #EducationMajor ♬ Vlog - wouldliker

How are you involved in campus life? 

I am the treasurer of the Future Educators of America Club. It is a fun and interactive club where we host events and fundraisers, promote the education department and just make people feel safe and comfortable in their environment. This year, we are kind of rebuilding FEA, and it has truly been an amazing time this semester already. Everybody is having a blast, we are being productive, and we are building connections and becoming unified.

I am also working as a tour guide. This has also been a great experience to have, because I'm able to share my experience with other people. I think it is very cool to be able to reflect on the time I've spent here. To be able to share my knowledge about this school, the city and these programs is something I am really enjoying.

What real-world experiences have you had related to your major, and what impact has that had on you? 

Point Park really wants students to get out and get hands-on experience starting the very first semester, especially in the education department. They believe that being able to witness things face-to-face, being hands-on and seeing what is going on in real time is really beneficial, and I could not agree more. We are always going to school districts to observe, even teach in classrooms, and to just explore how we can use the materials/places around us to incorporate lessons.

For example, we take trips to different museums, and I love doing that because I feel as though I take something from them that I can use in my own classroom. There is one Downtown school in particular where I have an incredibly great connection with and go there on my own time in addition to class assignments, and that connection only started because of Point Park.

Point Park also has opportunities such as being able to student teach abroad and a summer study abroad experience. I  went to Ireland for two weeks in the summer with two other education majors. We worked at a SEK International Camp with kids from Madrid who came to Ireland to improve their English. I can't even describe to you what this experience was like. It opened my eyes to so many ideas and examples of how to handle situations. This experience was one of the best I've ever had. I even have a second family there now, due to the host family I got assigned. 

What’s the benefit of going to a university in Downtown Pittsburgh? 

The benefit of going to a university in Downtown Pittsburgh is that your whole campus is truly all of Downtown. There are so many things to do here and explore. I am a junior and am still discovering different places and things to do. 

One big thing is that all on-ground full-time students get a free bus pass, and it is so convenient. I don’t even need my car; I just take the bus a lot of the time because it is free, it is not hard to find the buses and the rides are never that bad.

Living Downtown is a great life experience, and there are so many ways to get involved. My one friend works at a center to help out struggling people. You can build a great life here. Plus, there are so many bike paths, which is awesome for me because I love bike riding and running.

More About: education, Point Park POV, School of Education