91ÁÔÆæ

The University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) hosted its fifth annual Advancing GenCyber Education for North Georgia Teachers (AGENT) Initiative from June 2-6 to help 24 middle and high school teachers and administrators learn various methods of teaching cybersecurity to students.  

91ÁÔÆæ faculty and staff in the Mike Cottrell College of Business and College of Education served as instructors. The academy was held at the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation at 91ÁÔÆæ's Dahlonega Campus and online.

The initiative is a professional development program designed for teachers and administrators interested in cybersecurity and improving computer science instructional practices at no cost to participants.

"Helping the next generation become cyber-smart is more important now than ever. Working with teachers is a force-multiplier: we’re able to help over 3000 students grow in cyber skills through our AGENT teachers every year, Dr. Lindsay Linsky, 91ÁÔÆæ professor of middle grades education and AGENT Initiative teaching lead, said.

A grant of nearly $100,000 from National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation funded the Initiative, with Dr. Bryson Payne as lead investigator and Linsky and Dr. Cindi Smatt as co-authors of the grant. The grant enabled teachers to receive more than 80 hours of cyber and computer science professional development (in-person and online) from professors and cyber leaders.

The computer science endorsement offered through 91ÁÔÆæ's College of Education and a collaboration with the  enabled 11 participants to earn computer science endorsements through the program for free, including Deidre Paris.

Paris is from Dobbins Middle School in Paulding County, Georgia, where she educates students in engineering, innovation and inventions, and technology.

"I came because everything I teach is intertwined with the things I'm learning here. It complements what I teach," she said. "It's opened my eyes to see what cybersecurity really is. Coming here opened my mind and gave me some ideas. If you're a novice like me, you have something you can use and be effective and articulate to students. This is phenomenal."

Something Paris appreciated was the previous attendees participating again.

"Mixing newbies and veterans is a good idea because newbies like me were able to interact and collaborate with returning attendees who shared their experiences with us. Their comments provided additional possibilities and opportunities for us," she said. "Returning attendees shows that this is a great initiative and people had positive experiences. They share with us how they used the information from previous years."

Gerald Nelms, who teaches computer science, cybersecurity and forensic science at the Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, Georgia, was among those who returned to learn more about the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.

"Even though a lot of the material that we cover is the same as a previous year, I have learned new things concerning cybersecurity. I am looking at what information I can incorporate into my forensic science class and finding ways of adding additional information to my computer science classes that I currently teach," Nelms said.

Colby Anderson, also a returning participant, teaches business education, information technology, and Advanced Placement computer science and is a Future Business Leaders of America advisor at Morgan County High School in Madison, Georgia. He said that the AGENT Initiative has significantly impacted his teaching methods and classroom dynamics. It has also provided him with innovative teaching strategies, up-to-date curriculum content and a deeper understanding of computer science concepts, which, in turn, has enabled him to create more engaging and effective lessons for his students.

"When GenCyber AGENT camp came to my attention, I swiftly registered, eager to explore what this fresh experience had to offer, and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations. This camp is undoubtedly the most valuable conference I attend annually," Anderson said. "The comprehensive material, supportive environment and incredible community of like-minded educators create an incomparable experience. I am committed to returning each year to deepen my growth and engagement within Georgia's computer science educational community."