Meghan Taylor

Please share your ECS story. How did you arrive at this point in your career?

At the end of my second year of teaching in CPS, the school I was at needed teachers to teach ECS since it had become a graduation requirement. If I didn’t agree to teaching it and going through the PD process then my position would not be available so I agreed. I was not a happy camper about it at the time but now I am so grateful I was forced into it. I am now at Amundsen which I consider to be my forever home teaching ECS, Fundamentals of IT and Web Design. Definitely a lot different than US History and Sociology but I love it. After “graduating” from the ECS PDs, I was offered the chance to become a PD facilitator. I really enjoy helping with the PDs because it gives me ideas on how to teach the curriculum in new ways, networking with new members in the community and being more reflective of my own teaching while passing the ECS knowledge along.

When you begin planning a lesson, what is the first thing you think about?

I think about the content or skill that the students will be learning and how I can make it as engaging as possible. I think going through the PD as a “student” really helps to plan out that engagement piece.

What advice would you give to a new ECS teacher?

If you do not have a background in CS be honest about it. You can develop a great relationship with students if you let them know that you’re learning too. In fact, it might help to engage them more when they can teach you something. Reach out if you need help. The ECS community is amazing and there are so many people that are willing to help you (myself included☺).

Is there something you have learned (a practice, strategy, or concept) while teaching ECS that has made its way into your other classes?

Think, pair, share based off of journals. I did journals prior but that was really just at the beginning of class. I like that ECS incorporates journals throughout lessons. It helps to break up lessons while providing opportunities for equity and inquiry (depending on the question).

Describe a really great day in your ECS classroom?

Students learn and have fun at the same time. This usually means that students are engaging in the lesson, collaborating with each other and building on prior knowledge and experiences. Any day that happens it is a great day.

What do your students enjoy most about their ECS class?

I think they enjoy how engaging and accessible it is. No matter their level of prior knowledge, they learn something, usually in a hands on way.

What is a challenge for you?

Overcoming my insecurities with the content. Because I don’t have a super formal education in CS sometimes I second guess myself and that will bleed into my teaching. I am very upfront about this with students and have lost track of how many times I have “hmmm, I don’t know but I will find out” or “I’m not sure, if you figure it out, can you show me?” However, I am hoping to change that soon as one of my goals is to get my CS endorsement.

How has teaching ECS affected your own personal and professional growth?

It has helped me become more reflective in my teaching. It has pushed me to learn a lot more about CS and opened a lot of doors for me professionally including becoming an ECS facilitator. I wouldn’t change being forced into it for anything.

Can you sum up your ECS philosophy, experience, or technique in 3 words or less?

“Okay, let’s try” or “We got this.”