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Alumni Blog - September 2022

After graduating from The Hall, Scott left with a passion for Computer Science and the knowledge he needed to succeed thanks to one teacher in particular.  Read this month's blog to find out how he went from computer engineering to law, and see what he loves to today!
I'm a graduate of CHC class of 2003, and nearly 20 years later, I am reflecting on the powerful experience that one of my teachers provided that led me to my current career. Career trajectories aren't always straightforward, but my educational experiences at CHC prepared me for a career transition in my 20s that has led to success, stability, and personal fulfillment. I'll start by talking about a teacher I knew as Mrs. Brown, but many know her as Verena ‘Renie’ Brown.
 
As a junior I recall registering for the Computer Science elective at CHC. I didn't feel particularly strong at Math - writing and editing for the school newspaper was my main activity - but I had always wanted to learn programming after learning HTML (the language for website making) on my own. It was Mrs. Brown's first year at the Hall, but she provided me the same great teaching she is known for today. She balanced rigorous instruction on programming concepts and techniques with fun game-making activities. I earned a 5 on the AP Computer Science exam that year due in part to her excellent teaching.
 
In college at University of Maryland, I majored in Computer Engineering for a year, but struggled on some of the mathematics involved. I ended up pursuing a degree in Journalism and then studied law at the University of Baltimore. I moved to New York in 2010 and practiced immigration and family law for several years, but became dissatisfied with the profession and wanted a change. On the advice of a friend, I applied for the NYC Teaching Fellows as a high-school mathematics teacher. My first school, a new technology-focused public high-school in the Bronx, needed someone to teach both Math and Computer Science - and, based on my own programming as a hobby and my experience learning CS at Calvert Hall, I agreed.
 
That second year, the AP Computer Science teacher left the school mid-year, and I agreed to take over the course and leave behind my mathematics students to become a full-time CS teacher. I dove into mastering the content that I was now teaching, using my background as a math teacher but also my commitment to inclusive, equitable teaching. Mrs. Brown's game projects were influential in my curriculum development for courses such as Cybersecurity and Robotics, as well as professional development in project-based learning and universal design. I also sought distinction outside the classroom by earning a Math for America teaching fellowship, teaching and partaking in professional development in curriculum design, and coaching a FIRST Robotics team for three years.
 
I now teach at a private school in Manhattan, where I have designed new computer-science courses for students that have led to a large increase in enrollment for technology electives. I have learned many programming languages in my past 8 years of teaching and written many lessons, projects, and activities for my students, but none of it would be possible without the education I received at Calvert Hall. My 11-year-old nephew who lives in Maryland just attended a robotics summer camp at Calvert Hall, and I hope to support his interest in technology just as Mrs. Brown supported mine. While it took some time for me to find my calling, I feel that CHC laid the groundwork for my success.
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