Instructor | Saturday Academy

Sep 27, 2018

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An Alumnus Returns to Animation Academy...as Instructor

When longtime Animation Academy instructor Sharon Niemczyk was unable to teach for us this summer, she found someone to take her place. She didn't pick just anyone from her professional circle; she chose her former Animation Academy student Mac Kerman. The combination of her guidance and his passion for giving back to Saturday Academy by inspiring the next generation of animators made for an unforgettable week. Read on to hear it in Mac's own words. Be sure to view Exquisite Morph, the final group project referred to in Mac's post below (link at end of post).

Nov 28, 2017

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A Note to Fellow Instructors

Thank you for all of your hard and inspiring work at Saturday Academy. As a fellow instructor, I know the challenges of teaching and the joys of impacting youth by sharing my talents, skills and expertise. My name is Joe Fraioli and I am an Encore Fellow finishing out my career in electrical engineering by writing curriculum and instructing for Saturday Academy. Let me tell you, our efforts do not go unnoticed.

Aug 24, 2017

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Instructor Spotlight: Lauren Miranda

Meet Mel-Isha Jones, the newest addition to the SA communications team. As a volunteer, Mel-Isha is writing news items and social media posts for us this year. We are thrilled to have her on board. In her first news post she highlights one of our newest instructors for this fall.

Jun 12, 2017

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Instructor Spotlight: Carolyne Haycraft

One of my favorite aspects of my job at Saturday Academy is that I get to meet with our amazing instructors to find out more about their passions and hear their stories. Saturday Academy’s focus on bringing community experts in as instructors to share their expertise with curious students in a hands-on, exploratory environment means that kids have the opportunity to experience a variety of disciplines with adults that are enthusiastic about what they do. Carolyne Haycraft is one such instructor.

Jan 16, 2017

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Why was My Class Cancelled?

Saturday Academy takes every precaution to ensure that all of our classes and camps run as scheduled. As a non-profit organization dedicated to hands-on learning, we want every child to have the opportunity to explore their curiosity. Our Classes & Camps department works closely with our expert instructors to design engaging, in-depth classes and camps for our students. Our donors provide extensive funding towards financial aid and tuition assistance for low-income students each year to help increase enrollment.

Jun 10, 2016

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Reflections from a Saturday Academy Instructor

I was teaching a SA2U LEGO Robotics class in a North Portland elementary school. The students in my class today were marveling over my Bluetooth mouse and how far it could get from my computer and still work. I told them there was an famous scientist who created a technology that made Bluetooth work and asked them what they thought the scientist looked like.

“Um, he probably has a beard,” they guessed.

Nov 5, 2016

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A Voyage into Teaching

I served in the United States Navy for twenty six years. While in the Navy I went to various electronic schools. I have worked on Guided Missile Systems, Gun Systems and Submarine Torpedo Systems. The first part of my career I spent on Destroyers, the last part of my Naval career I spent on Fast Attack Submarines and Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines. I have traveled to the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mid East, Europe, Asia, Australia, American Samoan Islands, Artic Circle, Guam, Midway, Tasmania, Taiwan, Sicily and have been stationed from Maine to Washington.

Sep 22, 2016

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Girls Become Programmers

If you were standing outside the classroom and heard a dozen giggling girls, your first assumption might not be that they were writing computer programs. First assumptions are often incorrect. The goal of Saturday Academy’s Girls Engage Technology program is to provide pre-middle school girls with a positive programming experience so that they have confidence to take the next step in technology learning.