Get Career-Ready with: Kairi Stallsmith '24, Secondary Education Social Studies Major Student Profile

Why did you choose Point Park University?

I knew I wanted to be in the city and near my extended family. Point Park appealed to me because of its location in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. I had family members who went to Point Park and had great things to say about their degree programs. I was also interested in Point Park because it's a private college with no out-of-state tuition and smaller class sizes. I grew to really enjoy my degree program, as well as Point Park's close-knit community. 

What do you like about Point Park’s secondary education program?

All of my professors have been educators for more than 10 years at some point in their careers. They are so thoughtful about lesson planning, crafting each one in a way that makes every class memorable. The classes also feel so connected to each other. With my concentration in social studies, I get to learn from School of Education faculty and School of Arts & Sciences faculty. 

Describe your student teaching experience at Pittsburgh CAPA and what you’ve enjoyed about it.

I enjoy how creative I can get with my lesson plans. I teach AP U.S. History, AP Government, and Women & Gender Studies. In each class, I have been trying to test my creativity in developing ways I can teach the lessons. For example, I facilitated a history lesson where students designed the front page of a newspaper. They drew pictures and wrote copy related to the era of history we were studying in class. They blew me away with how creative and amazing their projects were. In general, I've been amazed at how fantastic my students are. 

Which Point Park faculty members have had a significant impact on you?

• Professors Christal Edmunds and Kamryn York have had a positive impact because they put in a lot of care and love whenever they craft a lesson. They have a lot of passion for education, and it shows.
• Kristen Misutka's special education courses are also put together very well. She can make a three-hour lesson feel like a one-hour lesson.
• Stanley Denton is also an amazing professor. One of my favorite moments with him was when I went to his office for help with an assignment. After he answered my questions, I spent almost an hour talking with him about the history of Pittsburgh and how important it is for everyone to know their history. His intellect and his passion for all of his classes amaze me.
• Outside of the School of Education, I appreciate Dora Ion as a professor. Her classes challenge my thinking and I've learned the most from her classes. She is an inspiring professor.

@pointparku Join secondary education social studies major Kairi Stallsmith '24 as she shares what it looks like to get career-ready at Point Park!📚👩‍🏫 Take a look at the full story on PointPark.edu ✨ #GRWM #GetReadyWithMe #PointParkU #PointParkUniversity #DowntownPittsburgh #Education #EducationMajor #TeachersOfTikTok #SecondaryEducation #SecondaryEducationMajor ♬ minor swell - choppy.wav

You’ve been involved on campus as a tour guide, Pioneer Ambassador, Art Club member, Student Government Association parliamentarian and Strong Women, Strong Girls mentor. How did these activities positively impact your college experience?

Each of these organizations helped me build up my professional experience and skills. As a tour guide, I gained confidence in my voice and how I communicate with different groups of people. As an SGA parliamentarian, I ran a committee, and I was tasked with creating a plan for each of my commute times, which functioned a lot like lesson plan building. For Strong Women, Strong Girls, I went into schools and mentored young girls, which allowed me to practice my teaching skills in front of an actual class. Finally, as a Pioneer Ambassador, I worked in a group and learned the importance of counseling and working together to help first-year students become familiar with a new city and school.

What do you like about living and learning in Pittsburgh?

I love the history and the culture of Pittsburgh. Point State Park and the Fort Pitt Museum are just a short walk from our campus. I designed a whole lesson about the French and Indian War and showed students how they can visit a historic landmark and enjoy a unique learning experience locally. I am also impressed by the city's distinctive historical buildings, such as Point Park's library, which was a bank in the 1900s, and Lawrence Hall, which was a hotel in the 1920s. Pittsburgh is beautiful, and every time I take a walk in the city, I learn something new.

How has Point Park made you career-ready?

Point Park has made me career-ready by encouraging me to try new activities and learn from my mistakes. As a student teacher, I have success with lesson plans, but I also experience failures. In both instances, I improve my skills as a teacher. I just remind myself that I am still learning. Point Park allows me to learn from my mistakes and build a better lesson for next time.

The campus activities I participated in pushed me to experience new things. In high school, I didn't participate in clubs or organizations, but when I came to Point Park, there was a shift in me where I wanted to try something new. I made mistakes along the way, but I can confidently say I did learn from them and tried again. 

Why would you recommend Point Park to a prospective student?

I recommend Point Park to students who want to feel seen and heard. With Point Park's small class sizes, your professors are likely to remember you. One of my professors from freshman year still remembers my name and says hi to me around campus. I also feel like my voice can be heard and valued outside of class and in student organizations. I didn’t think I would pursue a role in the Student Government Association, but by the end of my first semester, I became a parliamentarian and met some of my closest friends. I've built valuable relationships with many faculty and students, and I think if I went to any other university, I would just be forgotten in the crowd and feel like another number. At Point Park, I am seen and understood.

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