A strong curriculum is one of the biggest keys to success for a first-year computer science teacher. If you are new to CS, avoid the temptation to create everything from scratch. Instead, look for a curriculum that provides structure, quality lessons, and strong teacher support. The best resources are rooted in sound instructional practices and include materials that help you plan, teach, and assess with confidence. When reviewing curriculum options, look for resources that include clear...

Before you start planning lessons, make sure you fully understand the course you’re teaching. This means more than just knowing the course title and description. You need to know what the class is, who takes it, how it fits into the school’s program, and whether there are any expectations attached to teaching it. Search out the state standards for the course if they exist. If they do not, visit the Computer Science Teachers Association’s website to find some guidance. Early on, work with...

Being asked to teach something you have little to no experience in can be a scary and overwhelming experience. To take it a step further, being asked to teach something that very few people have taught, is terrifying. But this is what many of us are being asked to do. I've taught CS in middle and high school classrooms for 14 years, 13 of those in a small district where I was the only "computer" teacher. For years, the "computer teacher" taught keyboarding and digital applications. Now, we're...