11 ms·

Yep, this is the central problem and I'm disappointed the city isn't taking any steps in offering incentives to potential teachers. The hard truth is there's a

by dopeboy 11y ago

Yep, this is the central problem and I'm disappointed the city isn't taking any steps in offering incentives to potential teachers. The hard truth is there's a huge opportunity-cost for a professional programmer to step into a ~$50k role. On a broader scale, what needs to happen is a TFA like organization for programmers that works with companies and source their employees for 1-2 year tours of duty. This org would train programmers how to teach (good programmer != good teacher) and place these programmers in schools that need them. Most critically, this org would need to convince employers to count this service as part of the employee's total work experience and professional development.

cinquemb 11y ago
I think it depends, will the teachers need a degree to teach kids? I can see someone who dropped or didn't go to college, but worked professionally for at least 4-6 years in different technical roles would probably take the ~$50k as long as they can have flexibility create their own lesson plans and don't have to teach to some fizz buzz test on pen and paper (part of society's tendency to drive things to the LCD)… might be a breath of fresh air from their typical corporate environments, at least for a couple years. Do I think something like this will happen, probably not.
larrykubin 11y ago
I am volunteering to teach in Seattle through the TEALS program (started by a Microsoft employee) for a couple of hours a week: https://www.tealsk12.org/ https://www.tealsk12.org/ We had a few summer training sessions to learn how to be effective teachers, and they have some lesson plans written out for teaching with Snap (a visual language based on Scratch). The high school in our neighborhood wants to offer AP Computer Science eventually, but we are starting with an Intro to CS class first. I agree that it will be hard to find professional software developers who will leave their job to become teachers, so it seems like we are relying on volunteers who have a good work life balance at this point. Appreciate the blog post on your previous comment, sounds like NYC has its own similar organization. Anxiously awaiting school to start on Thursday :).
- dopeboy 11y ago
  That's awesome! I think TEALS has a chapter in NYC too. Good luck for Thursday.

by dopeboy 11y ago

cinquemb 11y ago

I think it depends, will the teachers need a degree to teach kids? I can see someone who dropped or didn't go to college, but worked professionally for at least 4-6 years in different technical roles would probably take the ~$50k as long as they can have flexibility create their own lesson plans and don't have to teach to some fizz buzz test on pen and paper (part of society's tendency to drive things to the LCD)… might be a breath of fresh air from their typical corporate environments, at least for a couple years. Do I think something like this will happen, probably not.

larrykubin 11y ago

I am volunteering to teach in Seattle through the TEALS program (started by a Microsoft employee) for a couple of hours a week: https://www.tealsk12.org/ https://www.tealsk12.org/ We had a few summer training sessions to learn how to be effective teachers, and they have some lesson plans written out for teaching with Snap (a visual language based on Scratch). The high school in our neighborhood wants to offer AP Computer Science eventually, but we are starting with an Intro to CS class first. I agree that it will be hard to find professional software developers who will leave their job to become teachers, so it seems like we are relying on volunteers who have a good work life balance at this point. Appreciate the blog post on your previous comment, sounds like NYC has its own similar organization. Anxiously awaiting school to start on Thursday :).

dopeboy 11y ago
That's awesome! I think TEALS has a chapter in NYC too. Good luck for Thursday.