Hi there to all the peeps in my professional network. I didn't drop into a black hole. It's been over 2 years since I embarked on a second career in K-12 education after working as a software professional for 30 years. If you are wondering what I have been up to, here's an update. I have always been passionate about bringing technology to young people, especially those who don't traditionally pursue careers in software or engineering. I participated in this kind of outreach in my positions at Square and Google and volunteered with kids in the FIRST robotics program for about 8 years. So when I saw the opportunity to work with young people in my neighborhood in such a role, I took a leap. As the Makerspace Manager at my school, I wear many hats. I keep the Makerspaces and engineering rooms stocked, maintain the equipment, and make student exhibits. I don't teach students directly, but I lead 2 after-school clubs and help teachers integrate making into their classes. When I work with students I always call them my "Makers." I encourage them to get comfortable using hand tools and power tools. I make cool demos and encourage them to think entrepreneurially. I spend lots of time with the high school engineering classes, partly because I work in that room, but also because I love the work they are doing. Every chance I get, I also emphasize that you can make a very good living as a professional working as an engineer. Some of the projects I've worked on that I'm proud of include: - Converting engineering classes to use Raspberry Pi Picos and CircuitPython - Building a Raspberry Pi setup for image recognition with the AI Institute for Optimization at Georgia Tech - Helping design and refine some of the engineering projects with robotics, a capstone project where they build a pinball machine, and just today working with renewable energy. - Working on the set of a musical - Building a machine to wind DIY solenoids - Giving exposure to making with over 200 makers in my after school clubs. - Putting on a school-wide Lantern Festival. - Designing and distributing a "Phone Hotel" to try to help students manage cell phone use in the class. I learned a lot in the past few years about working in public education in general and in this position in particular. There are also many things I'd like to do better. Is anyone out there interested in hearing more? As summer is almost upon us, I will have more time to write about it or catch up over coffee. Drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you!
Eric, this is a total FAIL of a LinkedIn post. I see nothing about the grind, corporate ladder climbing, or your new best product ever. But to answer your question, YES I’d like to see more of this. Putting the love back into creating is a noble goal.
I'm so inspired knowing that you're doing this. Hundreds and hundreds of kids are going to turn into adults that feel comfortable making the world they want to live in. You're amazing, Eric
Austin Poole
2w
It's always inspiring to see others invest in youth education. Young people are going to be running the systems of tomorrow is its best they learn to do it early and right. Thanks for you time and effort with the kids!
Gagan Sandhu
2w
You’re doing soul gratifying work, Eric. I’m really happy for you.
This is amazing Eric! Thanks for giving back to the community.
Lex Spoon
1w
It's a wonderful thing you are doing for those kids, Eric!
Colin Curtin
2w
Thank you so much for writing about this. I’d love to learn more about it, I feel like it might be in my future as well sometime.
Paul Smith
2w
Sounds like a lot of fun woven through a lot of hard work. And planting seeds.
James Ausman
2w
This is what we need to see more of in our schools. I would like to hear more, will ping you directly.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
2wWould love to hear more! I've dabbled in public education in my time post-Square too, but nothing like this! I'm still trying to find my particular niche of contribution, but I know that public K-12 is something I hold very dear to my heart. Please keep sharing!