ABCTE Alumnus Craig Johnston is a Physics Teacher at Ringgold High School Alumni Profile
Meet Craig Johnston '21
- Job Title & Employer
- Physics teacher, Ringgold High School
- Major/Program
- ABCTE Program
- Hometown
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- High School
- Mt. Lebanon High School
- Now Living In
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Hobbies & Interests
- Music, biking, basketball and football
"Point Park offers an effective, efficient teaching certificate program. The School of Education faculty are supportive and honest. The feedback I received from the faculty helped me grow professionally and personally. The program offers flexibility and the resources needed to obtain a teaching certificate in a short period of time."
Why did you choose Point Park University's American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) program?
The ABCTE program allowed me to obtain a teaching certificate while continuing to work my full-time job. It exposed me to a wide range of material and theories about learning. We learned about the different types of intelligences, the hierarchy of thinking and how to create lesson plans based on real-world research. We had the opportunity to apply these theories in lesson plans and instruction practice through mock lessons.
How did the program prepare you for your role at Ringgold High School?
I learned how to develop and structure an engaging lesson plan. A good lesson plan has a beginning, middle and end that capture a student's imagination. A good lesson plan should make them feel connected to the content. The ABCTE program's physics curriculum was rigorous but straightforward, and I plan on using some of the materials in my lessons at Ringgold. The Professional Teaching Knowledge curriculum also prepared me for my current role, as I learned the importance of developing relationships and discovered effective techniques for managing my classroom.
What do you enjoy about being a teacher?
I was inspired to become a teacher because I want to help kids learn and help set them up for successful, productive lives as adults. I am lucky to teach a great group of students. I enjoy creating my own physics activities, building relationships with students, seeing them grow and helping them make valuable connections with the concepts I teach.
Are there any Point Park faculty members who had a significant influence on you?
Denise Beverina-Moore, M.A., was very enthusiastic, passionate and easy to work with. Her enthusiasm for the program was obvious and served as a good source of motivation during the program. I am especially grateful to her for encouraging me to pursue the job opportunity at Ringgold. Jason Harding, M.Ed., was very flexible with the course schedule, which allowed me to complete a graduate-level course while working full time. His assignments were easy to follow and well designed. Lastly, Linda Hippert, Ed.D., taught me not to tell students the answers, but rather let them discover them.
Why would you recommend Point Park to a prospective student?
Point Park offers an effective, efficient teaching certificate program. The School of Education faculty are supportive and honest. The feedback I received from the faculty helped me grow professionally and personally. The program offers flexibility and the resources needed to obtain a teaching certificate in a short period of time.