Edwin Perez of Puerto Rico now teaching Computer Science at LSMSA

Edwin Perez joins LSMSA after teaching 18 years at the University of Puerto Rico.
It is not easy moving to a new city for work. The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts’s (LSMSA) new Computer Science instructor, Edwin Perez, has been taking his new change of scenery in stride.
           
“I think Natchitoches is peaceful,” said Perez. “It is also very small. It’s a little hard being here because I don’t really know anyone, but my colleagues here at LSMSA have been great.”
           
Originally from Puerto Rico, Perez taught Computer Science for 18 years at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) before coming to LSMSA. His first language is Spanish, so assimilating to English has been tough, he said, but he has been adapting quickly.
          
“It’s different from Puerto Rico,” he said. “Speaking is fast here, difficult to catch. Although I know I speak Spanish fast, too.”
           
Perez is currently offering an Introduction to Programming class. He is also offering a class on Python – a program developed for general-purpose and advanced programming – and a class for general computer applications.
           
As LSMSA’s new Computer Science teacher, he has plans to build a solid foundation of knowledge for students, from which they can further explore outside of the classroom. He also hopes to be more flexible with his own teaching structure.

“I want to create a solid base so students can explore beyond basic choices and programs,” expressed Perez. “I often did not have an opportunity to go beyond a very strict curriculum. Now, here at LSMSA, I feel that I have an opportunity to create, to elaborate more, and to create a more sophisticated lesson. The students need a solid base so they can move forward.”

Prior to learning and teaching computer science, Perez was studying to be an accountant. For him, he found it to be stifling and monotonous. He always considered himself a creative person, loving to build and create works with his hands. He happened upon an article to study Computer Science courses at UPR, and that article jettisoned him into the world of computer applications and programming.

“When I discovered Computer Science,” he started, “I realized that it was a great way to create new things, improve situations and make them better.’

He referred to one professor from UPR that increased his fascination of the subject.

“He would bring us real-life situations and daily problems he faced at the company where he worked,” said Perez. “I really liked the way that he taught.”

Now, as an instructor himself, he is able to take his own real-world experiences and apply them in his classes. He enjoys getting to influence his students.

“I love that feeling that you are contributing to someone else’s life,” said Perez, “that feeling that something you are doing now can have an effect on someone later.”

In his spare time, Perez often engages in freelance business opportunities which include everything from creating blogs and websites to taking photographs and making films.

Perez’s daughter plans to attend school at Northwestern State University next year.

LSMSA offers an expansive array of Computer Science courses not readily available at other high schools. For a more in-depth look at some of the school’s course offerings, visit www.LSMSA.edu/computerscience.
 
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Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is the preeminent state-supported residential high school with competitive admissions for Louisiana's high-achieving, highly-motivated sophomores, juniors, and seniors. As a public school, there is no tuition to attend, and assistance from the LSMSA Foundation ensures the program is available to all qualifying students regardless of family financial need.
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