Middle School Computer Science Teacher
Know Your Pelicans
What do you teach? What is one of your favorite parts of the curriculum?
I teach computer science in the Middle School. My favorite parts of the curriculum are any in which the students are able to create. In the past I have had students create robotic animals through LEGO WeDo, make soccer games in Scratch, and create 3D models of objects from the Middle Ages in Tinkercad. This past spring the 6th Grade designed the new phone for 2028, modeling the physical phone in Tinkercad and creating the user interface in Scratch.
Besides your subject, what’s something you hope to teach your students?
I want all my students to understand that it is okay to fail. Many students will worry when something doesn’t work properly in their code right away. I can count on one hand how many times a project I programmed worked the first time after I coded it. I want my students to be able to continue to push through difficult problems and feel a huge sense of accomplishment and pride when they’re finished.
What is something that most Packer people wouldn’t know about you?
I love to bake! I love experimenting with different flavors and ingredients to create something new (although it doesn’t always turn out as planned). My latest creation was peanut butter brownie cupcakes.
What is your favorite space on campus and why?
I’ve only been there a couple of times, but I love the Packer Tower. Climbing those stairs made me feel like I was in Hogwarts on my way to Divination with Prof. Trelawney. I wish I had more opportunities to visit there.