The sound of the door clicking open catches the attention of Mr. McCarthy, the newly come programming teacher at CHS. Figuring it must be his first new student, he braces himself. He puts on his nicest smile and readies himself for his first day on the new job, officially underway. Going over his introduction once more in his head, he prepares for the lesson.
This was how Mr. McCarthy started his day early in October, on his first day at Cresskill. Teaching classes such as C++ and others, his specialty lies in computer sciences. He has experience in electrical engineering, though he first got his teaching start with middle schoolers. More specifically, 8th grade mathematics. This is his first time teaching C++, previously focusing on Python and Javascript. In his previous district, he taught only high schoolers.
He says that teaching both middle and high school classes has provided a, “…nice energy to feel throughout the day, a different energy in each class.” He especially notes the 6th and 7th grades, with this being the first year he is teaching those grades. “I love the energy they have, and the curiosity they have.” According to him, they are always looking to learn the next thing. The wider variety of grades provide a fresh experience for him. This participation and excitement from his students have contributed to making his time here “fantastic.”
Another new element to his work that Mr. McCarthy noted was the existence and management of a computer science club. He has never had the opportunity to manage a club, especially one so fitting his specialties. Though he used to coach girl’s basketball, this particular involvement feels different.
“I’m used to being part of the school beyond just teaching, but this will be the first time… that I’m part of a club, as an advisor, so that’s an adjustment,” he said. He has been researching fundraisers for the club, showing his dedication. He loves the independent projects of the computer science club, and has been observing what the members have been accomplishing. Particularly how some students have been combining coding and music. “That’s really the heart of what I like to do,” he says, “The fact that some of the students in the CS club are also interested in that, that’s very exciting for me.” Mr. McCarthy is a long-time jazz enthusiast, sometimes even discussing it with his students. He is invigorated by the prospect of mixing his two major interests with the CS club, and even in his classes.
A junior who is in Mr. McCarthy’s C++ class says that, “he is very communicative with the students.” As the year goes on and he settles in more, it seems likely that he will develop even stronger relationships with his students. However, he has already begun to make his mark on CHS despite only recently starting, and his presence will be felt yet more as the year progresses.
