TEALS Expands in Massachusetts and Beyond

| Aimee Sprung

TEALS_NE_feature

As the new school year begins, I am excited to see the additional Computer Science classes being offered across Massachusetts.  Thanks to the professional development MassCAN coordinated via code.org and NSF grants, Exploring Computer Science will be delivered at >50 high schools this year.  In addition, TEALS has enabled 6 communities to host Intro or AP Computer Science at schools that were not offering CS in the past.

“The industry volunteers through the TEALS program helped Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) expand our CS offerings in 2013-2014 to support an AP class in the fall and spring semesters,” said Doug McGlathery, Computer Science and Math teacher at CRLS.

TEALS (Technology Education And Literacy in Schools), a part of the Microsoft YouthSpark initiative, is a grassroots employee driven program that recruits, mentors, and places high tech professionals who are passionate about computer science education into high school classes as part-time teachers.  TEALS works with schools and classroom teachers to eventually hand off the CS courses to the classroom teachers so the school can maintain and grow a sustainable CS program on their own.

TEALS is also supporting Boston, Cambridge, Watertown, Revere, Medford and Billerica with skilled volunteers to grow CS offerings for high school students.  All volunteers participated in 9 weeks of professional development to prepare for their time in the classroom.

“I’m heading into my second year in the classroom at CRLS,” said Eric Jewart, Senior Developer at Microsoft and a TEALS volunteer at CRLS.  “I had a lot of fun working with the students last year and I am excited to see Doug (McGlathery) take the lead this year.”

For more information on TEALS please visit tealsk12.org.  Additional computer science professional development will be offered through CSTA and MassCAN.  Please contact Kelly Powers for more information.

Read more about today’s announcement of Microsoft’s expansion of TEALS, both globally and in the United States, via the Official Microsoft Blog

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aimee Sprung

To keep up with Aimee you need to be up early. Like 5 AM early. Then you have to squeeze in Crossfit, grow STEM education programs, collaborate with community leaders and still keep up with her family - 2 boys require high energy. Or you can hit the snooze and sleep soundly knowing Aimee has that all covered.