TEACHER TUESDAY: PAM CAIN
After earning a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics, Pam Cain worked in the business and technology industry as a consultant and tech helpdesk expert. After 12 years in that field, she began to sense the Lord calling her to teach. She went back to school for education, and started her teaching career at WC 12 years ago.
She teaches three levels of computer programming, two different engineering classes, Business Technology, Digital Technology, robotics and Advanced Placement Computer Science. She’s also found time to be involved with the school yearbook, student council, and led WC students in co-curriculars like the “Hackathon” at Franklin University and a regional robotics competition.
How would you describe your teaching style? “I typically begin with instruction, then I allow students to try out their new knowledge. Inevitably, there are students that say, ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I don’t know how to do this.’ I’m intentional about asking students what they tried and what they learned from their efforts, so as to help them develop their critical thinking ability. I want my students to be able to come to answers on their own, not just in my class but also in their science lab and essay-writing and other disciplines.”
What is the most challenging aspect of your role? “Because they are technology natives, students often enter my class with the assumption that they are already fluent in tech. They must adjust to approaching my classes with an academic mindset–we are learning technology with academic use, not just personal or social use.”
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role? “It is so rewarding to help my students have success. To watch the students who came in to my class not believing in themselves have success, or watch a student accomplish something that they assumed that they couldn’t–it gives me chills just thinking about it.”
How do you incorporate faith and learning in your discipline? “I emphasize 1 Corinthians 10:31 throughout my classes with the understanding that technology is a tool that can be used for good or for bad. As believers, we must use technology to bring glory to God.”