Maker Ed & Memorable Moments: Highlights from the School of Education's Spring Semester Monday, May 12, 2025
Students learn how to integrate technology in the classroom in an interactive presentation this spring. Photo submitted by Rachel McVeagh.
Point Park University's School of Education wrapped another year of hands-on learning with courses, activities and campus visits designed to inspire the next generation of teachers. View highlights from some of the enriching opportunities education majors took part in this spring.
Design to Make a Difference and Allegheny Intermediate Unit Visit Students in the Matt's Maker Space Lab
Graig Marx and Dave Piemme of Winchester Thurston School facilitated a Maker Day with students in Professor Kelly Pascarella's Technological Literacy for Education course. The course is available as a core option to students majoring in education as well as those majoring in other degree programs.
Marx and Piemme are co-founders of Design to Make a Difference (D2MD), an outreach program funded by The Grable Foundation that helps schools implement maker education equipment and professional development.
"Over the past decade, they have focused on integrating technology into the classroom, particularly using 3D printing to solve problems and create tools and products that improve people's lives," Pascarella said.
The duo taught students about human-centered design and 3D printing in one of Point Park's Matt's Maker Space Lab classrooms.
"For the majority of D2MD's existence, we have worked with teachers who have already begun their careers," said Marx. "Teachers are often inundated with new policy, new procedures, new technology and new students. It can be difficult to convince 'seasoned' teachers to pick up a new technology or take risks with new projects. But coming in to work with pre-service teachers at Point Park has provided the opportunity to introduce 3D printing/design as a necessary tool and skill to have that can be used while teaching. Starting pre-service teachers off with that mindset is really important to us."
Students enjoyed another maker-focused visit with Rachel McVeagh of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit's transformED program, who gave an interactive presentation on integrating modern technologies into K-12 education. Students explored hands-on tools like Makey Makey and Spheros, discovering innovative ways to enhance learning across subject areas. They also began developing their own tech-integrated lesson plans, gaining valuable insights into how these resources can support creativity and engagement in the classroom.
Future Educator's Day
The School of Education welcomed high school students from across the region to Future Educator's Day, a campus event designed to introduce them to life as an education major and college student, share career options in the education field and connect them with Point Park students, faculty and staff.
The day's itinerary included multiple activities led by Point Park education majors in the University's Matt's Maker Space Lab classrooms. They shared projects they've worked on, field experiences they've enjoyed and described Point Park's benefits, emphasizing the close-knit, family-like atmosphere within the School of Education and access to real-world experiential learning.
"I'm really glad Point Park pushes you to go out into classrooms right off the bat," said Amber Smith, a freshman special education major.
National State Teacher of the Year — Pennsylvania Chapter TEACH Conference
The School of Education partnered with the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year to host the spring TEACH Conference, a professional development opportunity geared toward pre-service teachers. The event included a keynote speech by Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Leon Smith, breakout sessions and mock interviews. Point Park students, as well as students from neighboring Pittsburgh colleges, attended the event to learn more about the profession and network with teachers in the field.
Celebration of Student Teaching and Celebration of Excellence for Doctoral Students
Aside from hooding and commencement, the School of Education recognizes its graduates at its Celebration of Student Teaching and Celebration of Excellence for Doctoral Students, traditions that bring together students, their families and faculty to reflect on their fulfilling experiences in Point Park's education degree programs.
When asked what she has enjoyed most about being a student in the School of Education, Tayler Cleveland, a secondary education English major, said, "The community, for sure."
"I think having a group of people who you know are there for you, no matter what happens, no matter the time of day, is so nice to see and so nice to have, especially being a first-generation, minority student," she said. "Having that community is something I've really looked forward to and leaned on."
Cleveland completed her student teaching at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts 6-12 (CAPA), a short walk from Point Park's campus. She taught English to second-grade students. When asked what drives her to teach, she cited the connections with her students, being able to help someone and make their day.
"Being a safe space for them is so important to me," she said.
The following undergraduate and graduate students were selected by faculty to share essays about the most memorable moments from their teaching experiences, highlighting the meaningful and career-affirming experiences they shared with their students:
- Olivia Lehman, 4th-8th grade science major
- Matthew Nichols, an instructional studies alumnus and M.Ed. in PreK-4th Grade graduate
- Melina Bowser, M.Ed. in Secondary Education graduate
- Sydney Brinton, M.Ed. in Special Education graduate
Nichols, who completed his student teaching at Pittsburgh Manchester PreK-8, shared a touching story about how he helped one of his students fall in love with learning.
"I love those a-ha moments with the kids where you can just see it click in their head, and they're like 'Oh my goodness, this is amazing!'" he shared when asked about his passion for teaching. "I also am a big proponent of teaching being more than teaching. It's also about relationships. It's all about the quality of things you do, not the quantity."
"Point Park is excellent, in every aspect of every assignment we do," Nichols said. "They do such a great job of getting you ready to go out in the field. Every professor is very personable, and they try to do everything they possibly can to make sure that you feel helped. They communicate with you about all your needs."
For the doctoral celebration, graduates were also asked to share their most memorable moments and the word that provided inspiration and motivation to them on their journey. Nikki Bilodeau, a first-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in the Mt. Lebanon School District, said the word "lead" kept her going throughout her journey as a guiding principle and source of motivation.
"My experience at Point Park University was special because of the incredible sense of community and support that I felt throughout the program," she said. "From the very beginning, I was surrounded by passionate educators and dedicated faculty who not only challenged me academically but also encouraged me to grow as a leader. The personalized attention and mentorship I received made a profound impact, helping me refine my research focus and stay committed to my goals.”
Outstanding Student Awards
School of Education students took home several awards from the University's Outstanding Student Awards ceremony. See the winners on the ceremony's 2025 webpage.