Jean-Louis Gosselin

I have been working as a full-time classroom computer science teacher for nearly 3 years (with two more years as a skills trainer, providing adult learners with courses in computer science), having been newly appointed Head of Department of computer science studies at an independent girls school in West London. Having worked with AQA, OCR and CIE syllabi in key stages 3, 4 and 5, I have over time created my own lesson material and exercises to enable students to better understand some of the most challenging aspects and topics of computer science, for instance: procedural programming and OOP, data structures and search & sort algorithms (DSA), functional programming, databases, multithreading and many more.

Computer science can often be perceived as quite a "dry" subject. But this should never be the case! I always plan lessons to be as "hands-on" as possible by incorporating as much programming in lessons as possible. Finding hash tables challenging or Two's Complement confusing in your chapter on Data Representation? Not a problem: the PowerPoint material I have devised takes you through every step of the way - before having you code your very own solutions to the exercises!
All in all, I always endeavour to "think outside the box", taking everyday life examples to illustrate the inner workings of complex processes.

Why emphasize programming? Simply because these are the skills that will enable you not only to better tackle your end-of-studies NEA, boost your portfolio with coding projects of all kinds to make a lasting impression in your university and/or internship applications, but more importantly because these skills will follow you throughout your exciting journey in IT, and practising these skills as early as possible will ensure you find pleasure in this journey.

Students describe me passionate about the subject, patient and with a calm and sometimes humorous demeanour. All in all, I find great pleasure in conveying the joys of programming to people of all ages.