Reboot Scholars are transforming computer science education for future generations.
"It’s rewarding to see students' preconceived notions about who belongs in computer science melt away," says Lisa Hauser, Reboot Scholar graduate and Math and Computer Science Teacher, School for Advanced Studies, Miami. And that was the goal.
With Florida ranking in the bottom 20% of the U.S. for offering computer science (CS) classes in public high schools, UKG teamed up with Reboot Representation to provide a grant to the University of Florida to create the Reboot Scholars. The initiative is focused on training, supporting, providing stipends to certify existing women teachers, and identifying additional women to teach CS in middle and high schools.
By certifying more teachers from the school systems that need it most, the program creates opportunities for students to see themselves succeeding in the world of CS. This program ultimately builds a network of CS teachers who look like the students they serve and can inspire them to dream big.
Once certified through the University of Florida Computer Science Education program, each teacher is ready to pursue state certification to teach CS in local schools. With just one teacher’s certification touching thousands of students’ lives throughout their career and a state certification passing rate of about 75%, the impact of this program will be immeasurable.
It’s a cascading effect, with an exponential reach over the course of a teacher’s career. It’s a program where it’s not essential to grow it as big as possible because of the incredible reach of each individual teacher.
Director, CSEveryone Center for Computer Science Education, University of Florida, Gainesville and Coordinator of the Reboot Scholars Program
At the same time, says Dr. Israel, keeping teacher cohorts small means her department can give participants individualized support.
In the program’s first two years, 38 teachers have enrolled as Reboot Scholars. They will each impact at least 2,200 students a year, reaching at least 83,000 students over the next two decades.
Developing hard skills – and a confident mindset
“A unique thing about our Reboot Scholars is that, as teachers, they have been out of school for a long time,” explains Dr. Israel.
Some may not be comfortable in a technology-focused classroom. Others may question their ability to master CS concepts. Still others may doubt their place in the field as a woman.
Whatever the concern, Dr. Israel and Reboot Scholar instructors are ready to help. In fact, every teacher was given the option to work one-on-one with a mentor.
“I had a mentor who was a computer science teacher,” says Lisa Hauser, Reboot Scholar graduate and Math and Computer Science Teacher, School for Advanced Studies in Miami. “I got to hear from her firsthand experience how to teach, how to motivate students when teaching computer science. But I’m also the queen of imposter syndrome; I never felt that I was qualified to do this. I didn’t know how to code. I had a little bit of HTML background, but I wasn’t well versed. Having a mentor to work through those mental blocks with me was hugely helpful.”
Mindset, in fact, is a key research interest for Dr. Israel and her team.
“Many teachers have assumptions about who belongs or not. The mentors help with mindset and beliefs while the tutors provide technical skills support. We measure teacher’s growth and knowledge in computer science throughout the program,” she says. “And we also study shifts in ability beliefs.”
By acknowledging the barriers that confidence and self-perception can have on teachers’ success, the program helps women contend with complicated feelings around their worthiness to pursue CS — and then helps reframe or eradicate harmful stereotypes and doubts.
Inclusive education: Content developed for me by a teacher who looks like me
Unpacking internalized biases and acquiring new technical knowledge is a lot of work. From a learning design perspective, Dr. Israel stresses that the Reboot Scholars curriculum is delivered to meet the needs of all learners while at the same time staying nimble in the face of rapid change in the CS space.
“It’s constantly shifting,” she says. “AI, for example. We’re being responsive to the changes in tech and what that means for teachers. Our goal is to stay current and focus on helping teachers meet the needs of all learners.”
Hauser explains, “Learning that is for all students, not just some students. Ninety-five percent of my students are Black or Hispanic, and they’ve been excluded from the tech industry.”
Hauser, who was born in Venezuela, says that her unabashed passion for CS means a lot to her students. While they sometimes poke fun at her zeal, she sees how meaningful it is to them to have her, a Hispanic woman, stoking their interest and supporting their studies.
Putting training into practice: Bringing confidence and expertise to the classroom
Now, in the program’s second year, Reboot Scholar graduates are getting to work in Florida classrooms. Their impact is far reaching, reflecting the many ways in which CS education can be incorporated into learning across age ranges.
“Teachers across K-12 are learning CS,” says Dr. Israel. “The elementary teachers are interested in incorporating computer science concepts into elementary curriculum, in mathematics, for example, but the impact varies. Once certified, we see teachers moving into teaching computer science, but there are also teachers who begin informal experiences like starting a robotics club or integrating computing into what they’re already teaching.”
For Hauser, teaching her own AP computer science class was a no-brainer.
“Once I finished my Reboot Scholar certification and had the credentials to present to my principal, I took a deep dive,” she says. “At that time, my school didn’t have any computer science courses. I had to convince them that AP computer science should be added as a course — and that I was the person to teach it.”
Throughout the pitch process, the confidence Hauser had built alongside her mentor — the mindset that she was worthy and ready to be an educator in this space — helped her persevere.
“So many students have chosen a new pathway because of the experiences we’ve created,” Hauser says.
And to think it’s only been one year since she brought CS education to her school. The next frontier for Hauser? Achieving a 50/50 gender split in her CS class, making sure girls feel encouraged, welcomed, and represented. If her track record of leadership and advocacy is any indicator, we’re confident Hauser is going to get there.
“It’s rewarding to see students' preconceived notions about who belongs in computer science melt away as they realize, ‘Hey, I’m good at this. I like this. This is for me,’” she says.
“So many students have chosen a new pathway because of the experiences we’ve created.”
Reboot Scholar graduate and Math and Computer Science Teacher, School for Advanced Studies, Miami