ABCTE Program Provides Graduate With Multiple Teaching Opportunities in Pennsylvania

Meet Jeff Eakins

Job Title & Employer: Seventh Grade ELA Teacher, Bermudian Springs School District
Major/Program: ABCTE Program
Graduation: May 2019
Hometown: Sandy, Utah
High School: Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah
Now Living In: Gettysburg, Pa.
Hobbies & Interests: Basketball coach

"While I did not hire Mr. Eakins, I have already witnessed him as a team player. He is truly an educator who strives to be at his best each and every day. He seeks out feedback to improve his craft daily and recognizes that every student is unique. His willingness to take initiative and thirst for knowledge is a true testament of his character personally and professionally. It is evident that this program demonstrated for Mr. Eakins that learning never ends and that a true educator is one who recognizes that we never fully arrive!"

Shannon Myers, principal, Bermudian Springs Middle School

"By having my ABCTE certification, I was certified to teach the subject I wanted to and qualified in the eyes of the school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I had many job interviews and multiple options ... ABCTE through Point Park was a very positive experience. The School of Education faculty and staff were always very helpful, friendly and flexible with my individual circumstances."

Jeff Eakins

How did your ABCTE certification help you land your teaching position with Bermudian Springs Middle School?

My ABCTE certification put me in a positive position compared to other candidates applying for similar jobs. The fact that I already had a bachelor’s and master’s degree showed that I was educated and skilled in many different aspects, which brought a lot to the classroom. By having my ABCTE certification, I was certified to teach the subject I wanted to and qualified in the eyes of the school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I had many job interviews and multiple options.

Why did you choose Point Park University’s ABCTE program?

The ABCTE program at Point Park was the obvious choice for me because it was the fast track to certification. I already had a master’s degree and I wasn’t looking to spend $45,000 a year for two-plus years to go back to school. The ABCTE program was much more affordable and I was able to learn at my pace. I jumped in and finished the certification process in six months.

ABCTE through Point Park was a very positive experience. The School of Education faculty and staff were always very helpful, friendly and flexible with my individual circumstances.

What is your favorite part of teaching and what is the most challenging?

Pictured is a basketball photo of ABCTE graduate Jeff Eakins. My favorite part of teaching is the same thing I love about coaching basketball. I love working with youth and helping them learn something new — something difficult — and then see the excitement in their eyes when they start to grasp the concept and use it in their daily routine. It is great to see students take something I have taught them and implement it and to watch them grow and develop.

The most challenging part about teaching for me is keeping up with the technology and developing collaborative skills that capture the interest of the students. I want to be innovative. I want to be the teacher that pushes his students, but they don’t mind it because they are encaptured in the concept. I am always looking for ways to improve my methods. I always ask myself, “Would I want to learn this principle this way?”

What advice do you have for individuals who are considering transitioning to teaching through the ABCTE program?

I have had many different career opportunities that have helped me develop many aspects that are important in the classroom. We need more individuals teaching in the classroom with skills developed in the real world. The ABCTE program is extremely valuable because it allows individuals with a variety of skills to become an educator.

Teaching is an amazing profession. We are all teachers in some aspect — be it in the community, at home, church, etc. It is great to hone those skills through the ABCTE program and then be able to develop a career. It is extremely rewarding!

Individuals looking into the ABCTE program should know that it is the most economical and flexible way to earn their certification. It doesn’t have to take long either. I was able to apply myself and finish the entire program in six months! I highly recommend it.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Overall, the ABCTE program at Point Park was a great experience! The faculty was great to work with and the program was flexible for my time and needs. It is definitely the program to go through if you have a bachelor’s degree and want to become an educator.

ABCTE Program Provides Graduate With Multiple Teaching Opportunities in Pennsylvania Alumni Profile