The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

MS teacher selected for Computer Science Teaching Excellence Award

Jeremy Schwartz, Middle School computer science teacher and department chair, has received one of ten national Computer Science Teacher Excellence Awards from the Computer Science Teaching Association (CSTA) and Infosys Foundation USA. The CSTA is a nationally recognized organization that focuses on creating a strong environment for K–12 educators. The award honors teachers who “demonstrate their excellent work inspiring students to explore the computer science field; effectively engage students in learning rigorous, standards-aligned, computer science content; and a focus on broadening participation of underrepresented students in computing.”

Schwartz has been teaching computer science and robotics at Lab since 2014. He helped launch the Middle School Robotics Club in 2015 and has been serving as head coach for six FIRST® LEGO® League robotics teams since 2016. He also worked to create an extra-curricular Middle School Computer Science Club in 2019 where students have been participating in the American Computer Science League Junior Division contests. 
 
“Working to welcome, include, and inspire students of diverse backgrounds and identities is the primary goal of the middle school computer science programs at Lab,” Schwartz says. His challenge as a teacher, he says, is to stimulate development of academic intellect while providing space for fun and age-appropriate social interactions. He adds that “Middle school is the right place to attract and motivate students to join and participate in computer science and robotics studies.”
 
Prior to teaching at Lab, Jeremy worked with middle school students in Spain and California. Jeremy also serves as the RoboMed robotics tournament director, sponsored by the Mediterranean Association of International Schools.