Welcome to #TechTalk with Scholastic, our new series highlighting the Scholastic Software & Technology Services team—the people who work behind the scenes to build the technology and tools that help get books into the hands of children across the world. Scholastic is known for our award-winning and bestselling books and entertainment, for our Book Clubs and Fairs, for the classroom magazines and teaching resources, and for all the educational materials and support we provide to educators and school districts to help children fall in love with reading. All of that, of course, relies on strong, sophisticated technologies underpinning everything we do.
We've been sharing videos and interviews with members of the STS Technology Associate Program, a program that's identifying and training the next generation of leaders. Today, we welcome William Ciaurro, an Associate AEM Developer, working on the Teachers team. (you may recognize him from his recent video!) We asked him a few questions about his work here...
What did you study in school?
William: I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from New Jersey Institute of Technology, and as Associate’s Degree in Computer Science from Passaic County Community College.
What do you do all day?
William: I work with a large team to develop software solutions for the Teachers content website. Basically, I write the programs that make up the Teachers site.
What’s the best part of your job at Scholastic?
It’s very rewarding to be working for a company that has been an influential part of your life. I remember going to book fairs in elementary school and coming home with new things to read. I also remember reading classroom magazines. Overall I just like to know that I am making a difference for teachers and students, because education should be valued highly.
What’s something someone would be surprised to hear about the Technology Services team at Scholastic?
William: You may not realize it, but even though we’re a children’s publishing company we are constantly improving our technology division. We work with the latest technologies to keep competitive and modern.
Just for fun, what’s your favorite book?
William: That’s a tough one, I’d like to say The Lightning Thief from the Percy Jackson series, but I feel like I’m betraying my Harry Potter roots!
Thanks, William! Interested in learning more about our Technology Associates Program? See what Nick, Jessica, Valerie, Ryan, and Avi had to say.
