Computer Science
How is Teach For America relevant for CS students?
<Insert Date Here>
1
“Here we are, 2013, we ALL depend on technology
to communicate, to bank, and none of us know
how to read and write code. It's important for these
kids, right now, starting at 8 years old, to read and
write code.”
- Will.i.am
Musician/The Black Eyed Peas &
Entrepreneur
22
WHY CS, WHY NOW?
• Job Growth
•
•
•
5 million new professional jobs by 2016. Computer and mathematical
occupations will grow the fastest.
In computer science field, job prospects have remained strong despite
economically challenging times.
Five of the fastest growing occupations are computing occupations.
• High Salaries
•
Computing-related jobs are among highest entry-level salaries of any
bachelor’s degree.
Computer Science =
a chance to prevent
the
opportunity gap
before it starts.
Infographic source: Code.org; Source: Dohm, A. & Shniper, L. (2007, November). Employment outlook: 2006–16. Washington, DC:
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (p. 94-96)
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TFA’s Role: Computer Science in NYC
We will be placing, training and supporting 5-10 computer science teachers in New
York City during the 2013-2014 school year.
Apply Now
Join the cohort of computer science teachers who are expanding
opportunities for students across New York City!
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What is the ECS Curriculum?
Jake Baskin (Chicago ‘10)
Undergrad: Swarthmore, Computer Science
Current Role: Curriculum developer at
Code.org
Jake served as a pilot computer science
teacher at Lindblom Math and Science
Academy where implemented the Exploring
Computer Science Curriculum funded by the
National Science Foundation. Jake was
awarded a $27K grant from the Qatar
Foundation to design and implement a course
on programming microprocessors. His
students were able to travel to Doha, Qatar
and learn about water use and they created
short films
which
were and
featured
at of
the color
2012
“We have systematically
denied
women
people
DC Environmental
Film Festival.
access to computerWashington,
science education.
Exploring
Computer
Science (ECS) is the (research based) antidote to
that. The number of young women enrolling in intro
CS more than doubled once I implemented ECS and I
saw students who had "given up" on math class using trig
functions to create a more realistic computer game.
Most importantly, it is so much fun to teach!"
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“Our policy at Facebook is literally to hire as many
talented engineers as we can find. There just
aren't enough people who are trained and have
these skills today.”
- Mark Zuckerberg
Founder, Facebook
66
Teach For America leaders in Computer Science
Samir Paul
(D.C. Region
‘10)
Jeff Casimir
(D. C. Region
‘03)
Undergrad: Harvard
University,
Computer Science
Undergrad: Arizona
State University,
Economics
Current Role:
Consultant in
Advanced Analytics
and Optimization,
IBM
Founded and taught the only AP
Computer Science class in DC
Public Schools for 2011-2012.
Led his first-time CS students
to a 75% AP passing rate, with
half scoring a 4 (“well
qualified”) or higher.
Current Role:
Principal,
Jumpstartto
Labs
Started teaching technology
middle school students in 2003
and then went on to teach high
school Computer Science.
In 2009 he started Jumpstart
Lab, teaching computer
programming to adults. He is
currently running the School
developer training program in
Denver, directing the technical
program for CodeNow in NYC, and
organizing a new non-profit, the
Turing School of Software &
7
Design.
Teach For America leaders in Computer Science
Elizabeth
Davidson
(Philadelphia
‘06)
Undergrad:
University of
Georgia, Economics
Current Role:
Deputy Strategy
Officer (Division
Maurya Couvares and
Elizabeth
of Talent,
Labor &
started ScriptEd NYC, a new nonInnovation) at NYC
profit attempting to bridge the
of
“digital divide” Department
and teach students
Education
in underserved areas
the computer
science skills they need to land
jobs in this high-tech economy. The
program is being piloted at Harlem
Village Academies. Twice a week for
an hour and a half after school,
tech professionals are teaching 15
high-school freshmen how to use
JavaScript.
Cullen White
(D.C. Region
‘09)
Undergrad:
University of
Washington,
Political Science
and Economics
Current Role:
Program
Serves as the program Coordinator
Coordinator, IT
for an IT Academy that was
Academy
@ Fairmont
founded at Fairmont
Heights
High
Heights
School. Planning
a WebHigh
Development course for the next
year featuring HTML5 and
JavaScript, and is working with
the founders of CodeHS to expand
the amount of programming that
occurs in Prince George's County
classrooms.
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“At a time when people are saying "I want a good
job - I got out of college and I couldn’t find one,"
every single year in America there is a standing
demand for 120,000 people who are training in
computer science.”
- President Bill Clinton
99
Next steps
Apply to our FINAL application deadline by February 20th, 2014
(Current graduating seniors and grad students are eligible for the
2014 corps; current juniors are eligible to apply now for the 2015
corps)
Email STEM@teachforamerica.org or Hillary.Wool@teachforamerica.org
with your name, undergrad university and indicate your interest in
teaching computer science
Preference New York City on the regional preference
form
Spread the word to your CS friends and colleagues
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One day, all children in
this nation will have the
opportunity to attain an
excellent education.
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