Posted by Chris C.
a resident of Community Center
on Oct 30, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Chris C. is a registered user.

Idea: in addition to creating easy pathways for certificated teachers to become computer science teachers, how about having pathways for computer scientists to become certificated CTE teachers? (As a Bay Area techie, I've talked to numerous mid-career software engineers who would love to teach if only there was a clear pathway to doing so that didn't involve getting yet another multi-year degree.)

Posted by Retired PAUSD Teacher
a resident of another community
on Oct 31, 2023 at 7:13 am
Retired PAUSD Teacher is a registered user.

@Chris

Good idea, but there would have to be some form of training regarding lesson planning, assessment, and classroom management to name a few. Being an expert doesn't always translate into becoming a good teacher.

A computer sciences credential seems to be a good pathway since the aforementioned would be part of the program.

There is another obstacle, however. It's inherent in this statement: ""When you're majoring in computer science, all you hear about is becoming a software engineer. They don't know that teaching is an option. But some of them love working with kids, love teaching, and we're able to help them become teachers......".

Many computer science majors with the qualities Hao Yue has described will take one look at the starting pay for public school teachers and think twice, especially if they are carrying significant college debt. One has to think the cost of living in California is a big disincentive for talented computer scientists considering teaching when they can make two to three times more in the industry.

There needs to be financial incentive as well, and I'm not sure that is part of any proposed legislation at the moment. Plus, the way public school pay is structured, it would be nearly impossible to pay computer science teachers more than other classroom teachers without causing a political firestorm.