Lindale Middle School Computer Science teacher Rick Hall discusses the Intranet page he designed for MasterPeace Solutions.
This summer, a unique professional development opportunity brought six teachers from Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) and the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) together for externships with leading FMA member companies.
These externships, which included placements at BlueHalo, Boeing Intelligence & Analytics, Booz Allen Hamilton, IntelliGenesis, MasterPeace Solutions and Praxis Engineering, provided educators with an in-depth look at the inner workings of the cybersecurity industry.
Teachers received hands-on experience and insights that they could bring back to their students, enriching their classroom instruction with real-world knowledge. The externs were exposed to various aspects of company operations, gaining valuable industry experience.
Dr. Louise Greene-Rodriguez, an ESOL teacher at AACPS presents the curriculum she helped develop with BlueHalo on the risks of social media disinformation campaigns.
“I was involved in a wide variety of activities, including shadowing, conducting research, and participating in both online and face-to-face meetings,” said Dr. Louise Greene-Rodriguez, an ESOL teacher at AACPS who joined BlueHalo for the summer. “I also took part in socializing activities, touring the company’s labs, one-on-one conferences, presentations, and team and individual work.”
Greene-Rodriguez worked with BlueHalo to study the risks associated with social media disinformation campaigns by nefarious actors and to develop a curriculum to educate students about these dangers.
“Having Dr. Greene join us over the summer was a truly rewarding experience that will no doubt make an incredible impact on students in our community,” said Kenny Smith, BlueHalo Division Lead for Maryland Operations. “With the research findings and industry insights gained through our work together, Dr. Greene is headed back to her classroom with knowledge and resources that will not only boost her students’ cyber safety skills but also raise their interest in STEM career opportunities for years to come–a true win for all of us.”
Darrien Holder, a computer science teacher at Glen Burnie High School, spent his summer with IntelliGenesis where he helped create a new level in their cybersecurity training system.
Darrien Holder, a computer science teacher at Glen Burnie High School, spent his summer with IntelliGenesis learning a multitude of new skills.
“I was surrounded by subject matter experts in different areas of technology all summer,” he said “It was a blessing being able to pick their brains and work alongside them.”
During his externship, Holder said that he improved his Python skills, got a crash course in Docker, and helped create a new level in IntelliGenesis’ cybersecurity training system.
Companies also benefited from the unique skills and perspectives that the educators brought to their organizations. At MasterPeace Technologies, Lindale Middle School Computer Science teacher Rick Hall made significant contributions.
AACPS teacher Kimberly Brooks facilitates a Lunch and Learn at Praxis Engineering.
“He conceptualized and created (from scratch) our company’s Intranet page, assisted with creating a training program for our employees going after certain certifications, and helped set up our network after a physical move,” said Kim Stanbro of MasterPeace. Hall said that the experience opened his eyes to things we need to change to make classes more relevant for today’s tech world.
Teachers have headed back into the classroom with unique perspectives gained at their host companies to share with their students.
“After this professional development experience, I became aware of the strong connection between language education and industry requirements and the relevance and impact of my work in preparing students for their future professional perspectives,” said Greene-Rodriguez.
