#PeopleofSTEAM: Meet Ed

Ed, an engineering and computer science teacher, has found that the best learning happens when you allow yourself to make mistakes. As a FIRST^® Robotics Competition mentor, Inspire the Future cohort, and Project Lead the Way instructor, he finds that his students thrive when they are given opportunities to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to extracurricular activities. For example, how he uses physics and engineering when hiking and rock climbing. 

Inspired by the many people of STEAM in his life, Ed strives to support his students throughout their entire high school career. Assisting these young people in finding the careers and pathways that will provide them with a successful future is what fuels him to continue this important work. 

As an Inspire the Future Cohort member, Ed enjoys hearing back from old students, constantly wondering about their progress and how he impacted their lives. 

Keep reading to learn more about the incredible difference that Ed is making in so many students’ lives. 

FIRST Staff: Can you share some information about your current role at Penfield High School? 

Ed: I am a teacher of engineering and computer science. In addition to being one of the mentors for FIRST Robotics Competition Team #1511, Rolling Thunder, I co-advise the Makers’ Club and help with the Strategy Games Club and Science Olympiad. 

FIRST Staff: What is your favorite part of your current role as an engineering and computer science teacher? 

Ed: I enjoy working with my students as they progress from entering high school to leaving for college. Due to the range of levels of classes I have on my schedule, I really do get the opportunity to work with students across all parts of their high school journey. I have some students for all four years of high school and get to see them grow from a 14-year-old navigating a new school, to a young adult, confidently looking at college and career options. 

Ed with FIRST Robotics Competition Team #1511, Rolling Thunder.

FIRST Staff: What is the hardest part of your job? 

Ed: The most challenging part is preparing for classes each day. I am grateful for my coworker, Ralph, who collaborates with me to support eight course titles across grades nine through twelve at our school. We complement each other’s skillsets very well. We have been able to support eight different courses total, teaching four different courses each. This gives students a fantastic variety of program offerings throughout the school year with only a department of two. It can be challenging, but through this we hope students gain experiences that will help them find fields where they will find success and happiness in their future. That makes it worth it. 

FIRST Staff: How do you use STEAM skills in your everyday work/life? 

Ed: I enjoy teaching technology because STEAM is in every part of my life and not just a thing I explain to students and then go home. I am very much a hands-on learner so nearly everything I teach I have done in some capacity at home or at a side job. Everything from designing and building a storage shed, to the math for manufacturing, production, and business logistics in some work I do on the side. I am an active hiker and rock climber, and I enjoy sharing how I use the physics and engineering I teach in my travels and climbs. 

FIRST Staff: Can you share your thoughts on the impact of your personal/professional work in STEAM?  

Ed: Many of my alumni are doing amazing things and I am so grateful to see them grow into professionals in so many fields. My former students work in robotics, aerospace, government, cybersecurity, and so much more. I can never know how much I have impacted them, but I am thoroughly grateful that many do check in now and again. I have spent a lot of time writing grants and doing paperwork to bring opportunities to my students through new technology in my classroom, scholarships for students, and field trips for classes and clubs. 

FIRST Staff: Who is a “Person of STEAM” who inspires you? 

Ed: I think the educator I have become has been inspired by so many people. I have learned a lot from working with so many different professionals over the years. I have certainly been inspired by personalities such as Adam Savage, Simone Giertz, Mark Rober, and many other STEAM educators and content creators who share such a passionate and fun way of experiencing the STEAM world. 

I appreciate that they showcase failing forward and having fun with the process of discovering and innovating. 

FIRST Staff: If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be? 

Ed: Procedure is key, but if something does not work, strive to fail forward. I like good day-to-day routines that help me move towards my goals and remove extraneous decisions and challenges from my day. Good habits and mindset have greatly helped me move past failures.  

FIRST Staff: Do you have a message you want to share for students who are participating in FIRST today? 

Ed: Find opportunities to reflect on what parts of the work you enjoy. What do you enjoy about working on such a large project? This experience is a great complement to your classes. Taking your favorite subjects and combining them with experiences you enjoy is a great way to find a career path that you like. 

Are you a person of STEAM? Share your story with #PeopleofSTEAM on social media or send us your story at marketing@firstinspires.org.