YOU CAN TEACH CS!
The UCLA STEM+CS program at the UCLA Teacher Education Program (TEP) offers two pathways to become a Computer Science teacher:
The UCLA STEM+CS program at the UCLA Teacher Education Program (TEP) offers two pathways to become a Computer Science teacher:
for current teachers
Current teachers complete four courses to earn their Computer Science Supplementary Authorization (CSSA) through UCLA Extension.
to get a teaching degree
UCLA STEM+CS Residency Program is a 2-year master’s degree program with certification in Math/Science and CS that includes a 1-year teaching residency.
There is a huge need in the state of California for teachers who are trained and authorized to teach computer science. The Teacher Education Program at UCLA recognized this need and in 2020, launched a one-year program for in-service teachers to earn a Computer Science Supplementary Authorization (CS SA).
Given the increasing reliance on technology for everyday living, we center an equity vision in computing and explore the social, ethical, legal, and cultural impacts of algorithms and data visualizations. We challenge the purported objectivity of the “Data-Coding Objectivity myth” and work toward developing an anti-racist curriculum through reflection, dialogue, and practice. Further, we explore the ethical concerns and problematic practices that may develop during exploratory data analysis and programming and expand our understanding of ethical data storytelling to identify, understand, and work toward rectifying disparities within the communities we partner with. The four-course series explores how social justice and equity issues are sustained and interrupted by critical analysis of computer science structures and paradigms and how these can be used to leverage positive impacts in contextualized community spaces.
Justin Betzelberger betzelberger@ucla.edu or Jane Kim janekim@ucla.edu
Want to become a teacher? Enroll in the UCLA Teacher Education Program (TEP) STEM+CS Residency Program, a specialized 2-year graduate program that includes a one-year residency with stipend at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Candidates will graduate with a Master’s in Education degree, guaranteed employment in LAUSD, and certification to teach Math/Science and Computer Science.
The program is open to students admitted to the UCLA TEP Math and Science Credential program and requires a separate application process once you are admitted to UCLA. The STEM+CS Residency program is designed for individuals with a BA/BS who are interested in teaching Math, Science, and Computer Science in K-12 and who want to teach in low-income, low-performing schools in California and Los Angeles in particular. Our commitment and coursework are guided by a social justice agenda. Applications are due December 1.
The STEM+CS Residency program builds on our extensive collaboration and success on our residency programs over a 12 year time span. Students start coursework and school observations in early August with a pedagogical focus on developing K-12 students’ computational thinking skills. The residency program is centered on social justice with our partner, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Our partner teachers work with our most marginalized communities toward educational equity and justice in Los Angeles. Most of our alumni start their careers in LAUSD and numerous UCLA TEP alumni have been named “Rookies of the Year.” However, whether recognized or not, the work that happens everyday with the students and families is what matters most as we strive to recognize and know the hidden narratives that can help our secondary math and science pre-service teachers become better social justice STEM Educators.
Justin Betzelberger betzelberger@ucla.edu or Jane Kim janekim@ucla.edu