By Javier Aguilar, Pk-5th grade teacher at East Fort Worth Montessori Academy
My initial experience with computers took place during my high school years in Mexico City. A friend’s father, who was a professional programmer, provided us with instruction on programming using a Tandy computer connected to a television. We learned to write programs in BASIC. I must admit that it was somewhat challenging and initially difficult for me to grasp, especially since I was unfamiliar with the English language, and the BASIC commands were in English.
I pursued community college courses in Mexico, earning an associate degree in computer drafting and design. Though this program did not specifically focus on computer science, it involved learning to operate an Apple II desktop computer and use floppy disks.
After relocating to the United States, I further expanded my computer skills by taking additional courses in coding and understanding how such skills can complement other academic subjects like mathematics, reading, science, and writing.
Approximately fourteen years ago, I received approval from our elementary school administrators to introduce and teach computer science and coding courses. At that time, these concepts were quite new to our school community. Many parents, guardians, and colleagues initially held misconceptions, often equating computer science solely with information technology or basic technology applications such as keyboarding, word processing, or spreadsheet use in programs like Excel or Google Sheets. It took time and patience to clarify the broader scope and importance of computer science education.
Highlighting student projects related to coding and robotics during open houses and school events provided an excellent opportunity for parents and community members to hear firsthand about students’ experiences in computer science. For example, I recall a female student who began creating games using Scratch. Her enthusiasm for programming her sprites in ScratchJr grew as she advanced through grades, eventually transitioning to Scratch 2.0 and 3.0, and later exploring JavaScript through Bitsbox coding projects.
Our school was proud to be selected by Google CS First to participate in a promotional video emphasizing the importance of introducing computer science early in childhood education. This initiative highlights the essential need to prepare all students for future careers in technology.
I am pleased to share with my professional community and current students a comprehensive overview of my observations regarding the current impact, technological advancements, and future directions in the field of computer science.
Computer science education extends beyond training future computer scientists; it provides foundational knowledge to help students understand our increasingly technological world—similar to how biology helps us understand life, or language arts develops communication skills. As more schools offer dedicated CS courses, many are also integrating computer science concepts into other subjects, helping students see its relevance to their everyday lives.
Benefits of integrating CS across disciplines include:
- Expanding access and opportunities for a diverse student population
- Encouraging critical examination of technology’s role and impact in society
- Developing student agency in problem-solving to benefit their communities
- Providing exposure to various career pathways with high earning potential
Within the field of computer science, key areas of specialization include artificial intelligence, computer systems and networks, cybersecurity, database management, human-computer interaction, computer vision and graphics, numerical analysis, programming languages, software engineering, bioinformatics, and computational theory. These specialties offer numerous opportunities for professional growth, innovation, and contribution within the technology sector.
The journey from a single Tandy computer in Mexico City to a thriving robotics and coding program at East Fort Worth Montessori Academy has shown me that computer science is not just a technical skill—it is a new literacy. As we continue to integrate these concepts into our Pk-5th grade classrooms, we aren’t just teaching children how to use machines; we are teaching them how to think, innovate, and lead. By fostering this curiosity early, we ensure that our students are not merely consumers of the future, but the very architects who will build it.
Resources
- https://www.mtu.edu/cs/what/
- https://csforca.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CSforCA_integration_v3-1.pdf
- https://cyber.org/career-exploration/cyber-career-profiles
- https://youtu.be/P_BPf2dDLvA?si=-P4WB4gpdQIyomZ6
About the Author
Javier Aguilar (he/him) works at East Fort Worth Montessori Academy as a bilingual technology applications/computer science teacher and robotics coach for PreK to 5th Grade students. He holds a Master’s of Education in Educational Technology from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.