Elizabeth McVaney and Lauren Francese – Photo Linda Conner Lambeck

By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT–Two new courses are coming to Staples High School next fall, one designed to help students decide if teaching is right for them and one for students up to the challenge of fighting cyberattacks.

If You Love It, Teach It will be a semester-long course under the umbrella of social studies. Upperclassmen who take it can also earn Early College Experience credits from the University of Connecticut.

Advanced Placement Cybersecurity, a full-year course, will help students in grades 10-12 learn to assess security risks, protect systems and data, and investigate cyberattacks through realistic scenarios that emphasize problem solving, collaboration and ethical responsibility. 

That said, to design effective defense systems, students need to learn how systems are hacked.

“Teenagers enjoy breaking the rules. That’s fun,” said Walter “Wally” Dietrich, who will teach at least one section of the course. 

Making systems that friends can’t break into is even more fun, he told the board at a meeting last week.

The cybersecurity class will replace a couple of other computer science offerings that are becoming obsolete, said John DeLuca, chair of science at Staples.

Neither of the new courses is expected to require additional staff but will require the purchase of some materials, as well as curriculum writing and teacher training.

Assistant Superintendent Anna Mahon said both courses expand opportunities for students to explore interests, engage in applied learning and consider potential college and career pathways.

If You Love It, Teach It

The course on the teaching profession was developed with the help of a grant and largely written by Elizabeth McVaney, a 2014 graduate of Staples who since 2020 has taught social studies at her alma mater.

Students will not only explore the history of education in America and how schools and teaching have evolved but also require them to spend at least 10 hours observing teachers in the classroom. If they want, participants in the class can also teach a mini lesson.

Lauren Francese, the district’s social studies coordinator, said she expects a lot of interest in the course. Most child psychology courses at Staples have large enrollments.

Another benefit, Francese added, is that it might make more students consider teaching as a career.

“The teacher pipeline is a concern to us,” Francese said.

AP Cybersecurity

Walter “Wally” Dietrich and John DeLuca – Photo Linda Conner Lambeck

The cybersecurity course will fit into a growing push toward Artificial Intelligence-type courses, said DeLuca. AI was recently written into the district’s strategic plan.

The district is hoping to partner with Sacred Heart University on the AP Course. The College Board started offering AP Cybersecurity this year.

“We wanted to jump on board,” said DeLuca. “I think it’s a pretty exciting course.”

Not a week goes by, he added, when word comes of a hack into some computer system.

Students will learn about how to protect systems, recognize vulnerabilities, and about legal and ethical responsibilities using practical applications.

Students, for example, may be asked to design a network aboard a naval sub or how to safeguard pharmaceutical research.

Dietrich expects some students will land summer internships after taking the course.

Board Vice Chairman Dorie Hordon said she liked that the new courses are “budget neutral.”

Board Secretary Neil Phillips said the cyber security course sounds great but wondered if the curriculum will be able to keep up with the rapidly evolving field.

The fundamentals don’t change that much, Dietrich told him.

Justin Jendrock, a Staples junior and student representative to the Board said he has heard a lot of students and some teachers say they are very excited for the cyber security course.

“It seems unique and fun,” Jendrock said.

“It’s great to see new classes,” added Anwara Olasewere, the senior student rep to the board.

The board review occurred now so that the new courses can make it into the 2027-28 Staples course catalogue later this school year.

Linda Conner Lambeck

Linda Conner Lambeck covers education for Westport Journal. She was a reporter for more than four decades at the Connecticut Post and other Hearst publications. She has covered education throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties. She is a proud member of the Education Writers Association.