Women in STEM: Ms. Alonso

Name: Izagma Alonso

Subject: Computer Science

What subject do you teach? Why did you choose to teach it?

I teach Computer Science (CS).  I did not study to be a teacher; I have a Bachelor of Science in Math and a Masters of Science in CS, and I worked in the industry for years before becoming a teacher. I took the courses to get my teaching certification after I started teaching here in New York many years ago. I was also in the first NY cohort to get a CS teaching certification.

What did working in the Computer Science industry look like? Do you miss anything about that line of work?

What I miss the most is having mostly my own hours and the freedom to decide when to take time off; of course, the salary was also better. I worked for Hewlett-Packard (HP) & Bell Labs in their Research and Development departments. I programmed products; at HP; I mostly remember a system that simulated processors so that clients could code and test their software before purchasing the processor (or before it was fully available). The products were compilers, which translated Pascal to intermediate code, and then the intermediate code was translated to the machine code of each processor. At Bell Labs, I worked in the AUDIX system, which is the phone system used here at Stuy and in most DOE schools. I used to be a whiz with it—and with the UNIX computer operating system—but I no longer remember most of it. I left Bell Labs because I moved back to Puerto Rico, and while I still worked in CS for a while, the company I worked for relocated and I did not want to move to California. I consulted for a while in Puerto Rico; by chance, while the NYC DOE was in Puerto Rico, I got a job as a math teacher. I went to the interview because I liked the hotel and their breakfast, never expecting to get a job. That was 22 years ago!

Why did you choose to teach at Stuyvesant? What do you like (or not like) to teach here?

I was looking for a change, and I had met several of the Stuyvesant CS teachers at different organizations and in the CS certification program. I am still getting used to teaching here; I have had some very good experiences and some not so good ones. Some students have had very negative things to say about me and others have had very positive things, which, by the way, I found (and find) out mostly from others. In the case of positive ones, I mostly hear it from their parents; in the case of negative ones, I mostly hear it from co-workers. There are other positive and negative experiences with adults, but those I will keep to myself.

Can you tell us a little more about your younger years? Where did you grow up? What did you love to do as a child?

I grew up in Puerto Rico. I loved to talk (still do) and loved candy (also still love it). I always preferred reading, watching TV, movies, and theater. I never considered myself very athletic, but I was a good runner; I always loved dancing and, still today, really like crafts.

Did you always want to be a teacher? If not, what did you want to be beforehand?

I did not initially consider it as a profession, but I’ve always liked teaching. I used to teach my siblings anything I learned in school and taught part-time several times while I was studying or working as a programmer.

What challenges have you faced being a woman in a male dominated field? What advice do you have for women pursuing computer science? 

Many challenges—mostly of not being heard and/or accepted. I remember when I started at HP, I would say something in a meeting, and it would be ignored (sometimes even laughed at); a man would repeat it later and they would get very positive responses. Initially, I would say something like “I just said that,” but I would be ignored. I learned to imitate women who were respected, specifically when I had a point that I thought was important. What I noticed and imitated is that this one woman I watched always preceded her comments with, “I think,” or “maybe,” or “perhaps.” That worked much better, but I could not always do it, because it is not my natural style. I do not want to imply that this was all the time or that I did not have very good experiences, co-workers, and good supervisors, but I do clearly remember dealing with this initial issue. I assumed it was a cultural difference. What I like about CS is the combination of logic and creativity. I think being a woman in the field can be challenging, but if you know about the challenges, you can overcome them; mostly—if you like it—you will enjoy it. The good thing about CS is that if you enjoy programming, you can always enjoy that part of your job, because you are interacting with a computer. If your goal is to get ahead or go into management, then you need to be aware and ready for some people’s challenges.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

Students learning the material; enjoying the class; and being motivated by the class and the tasks.  I love it when I hear from parents how students are feeling motivated, like to complete the CS tasks, or have a preference for the CS class. I have had parents say that they had tried to motivate their child to get involved in CS and, until my class, had been unsuccessful or how their child wanted to spend all their time doing the CS tasks.

Do you have any funny anecdotes from your years in the classroom, either as a student or teacher?

Probably many, but my best memories are the sweet ones. I will never forget when a student told me: “Miss, you make us smart.”

If you could teach any other subject besides computer science, what would it be and why?

I used to teach math, but I now teach CS. I prefer it because it is my profession and it is my passion. Math is fun but, in my opinion, offers less creativity than CS.

What’s one thing students do that always makes you laugh?

Many things, but when they speak Spanish to me, it always makes me smile.

What’s the most surprising thing a student has ever asked or said to you?

Is zero a positive number?

What’s your biggest teaching pet peeve?

Students who do not listen or follow directions. Many of these students do other things during class and then are lost when I ask them any questions or they have to complete a task.

If you could go back in time and give advice to your high school self, what would you say?

Be nicer to your teachers.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

When something bothers you, wait a minute, and you will forget about it; then, it will not bother you anymore.

What’s one thing you wish more students knew about you or your class?

The most important thing to me is that they learn. Also, I love CS—the subject of my classes.

Fun Questions! 

What is your favorite food? 

I love salmon with asparagus and rice.  

Favorite programming language that you teach? One that you don’t teach? 

Of the languages that I teach, my favorite is probably Python, but my legacy language—which I used as a programmer for many years—is C & C++; therefore, today, Java would be up there on the list.  

Favorite movie?

My favorite movies are The Sound of Music and As Good As It Gets. Recently, I also loved Wicked. (I really liked the Broadway show.)

Night owl or early bird? 

I have always been an early bird, but my preference is to eat breakfast, work out, get ready, and start my work day later.

Dream vacation destination?

I want to visit Alaska and/or Australia.