About

My interest in education was sparked at my first job out of college. My supervisor had given me a book on programming and said, "Teach yourself to program so you understand what we're talking about." I soon find myself writing code full-time.

At one point I was turning marketing data into charts and graphs, and wanted to add a 3rd dimension to my visualizations, but the language I was using only supported 2D graphics: polygons, lines, and the like. However, I knew that 3D graphics were an illusion: the computer screen itself is flat, so all graphics must be made up of 2D elements.

It eventually dawned on me that creating that 3D illusion out of 2D elements involved trigonometry, which I had dutifully studied in high school but had since largely forgotten, and honestly had never really enjoyed. Starting with the mnemonic "SOH CAH TOA" I re-taught myself trigonometry, and not only got my 3D graphics working, but discovered that for the first time I both truly understood, and loved, trig. I thought, "Why don't we teach math this way?"

That moment led to a Master's degree in education from Harvard, for which I also took classes and did independent studies at the MIT Media Lab. From there I taught computer science, and founded computer science as an independent department, at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. My experience there led to me to ponder a second question: "Why do so many people struggle to understand programming?"

I have spent the 25 years since then pondering and exploring that question. I have gone in and out of education, including a long stint in a large private equity firm, advising deal teams on technology investments. I have founded, worked in, and invested in numerous technology startups. And I spent an awful lot of time rock climbing.

Twenty years after Exeter I taught computer science and physics at their sister school, Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. At Andover I experimented with new pedagogical methods, and made huge leaps toward finding answers to my questions.

Today I live in Steamboat Springs with my wife and two young sons, and I want to share what I have discovered with learners of all ages who want something different out of education.

What former students say...