News
Jan 09 2025
Looking Forward to Giving Back
At BCIS, education goes far beyond the classroom, with a variety of enrichment activities (EAs) offering students unique opportunities to explore and develop their interests. One standout course is an introductory program in Artificial Intelligence and Python programming, specifically designed for elementary school students. Created by BCIS alumnus Jerry, this course has been running for two years and reflects his passion for both technology and education.
Jerry, a BCIS graduate from the class of 2018, has since carved out a successful career in the tech industry. After studying at UC Berkeley and Stanford University, he now works as an algorithm engineer at a leading company and is the founder of two tech startups. Looking back, Jerry credits BCIS for sparking his interest in programming. When asked why he created this EA course, Jerry shared how his journey in technology began.
He remembers being introduced to personal computers in sixth grade. “I remember staring at the screen, wondering: How does this work? Who created it? How are these features made possible?” This curiosity led him to his first experience with programming, which eventually became his lifelong passion.
As a seventh and eighth grader, Jerry’s interest in coding deepened during a math lesson where the teacher asked students to simulate a coin-flipping probability problem. While others may have struggled with the concept, Jerry decided to solve it by writing a program. “There wasn’t a suitable simulator at the time, so I wrote a simple randomization code. It wasn’t complex, but it worked.” This first coding experiment in math class ignited Jerry’s passion for programming.
With the support of his teachers and the BCIS community, Jerry went on to establish the school’s first coding club, where he taught programming to his peers. “At first, I was nervous, but over time, I became more confident,” Jerry recalls. “Teaching others helped me develop leadership skills and gave me the confidence to pursue bigger goals. Today, I lead nearly a 20-person team.” At just 17 years old, Jerry also created a comprehensive management platform for after-school courses at BCIS, which improved communication and efficiency between teachers and students.
After graduation, Jerry attended UC Berkeley, where he earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in computer science. He later pursued a second master’s degree in Design and Technology at Stanford University. During his time at Stanford, Jerry began planning his entrepreneurial ventures. In 2023, he returned to BCIS to introduce his “Introduction to AI + Python Programming” course for elementary students. The course uses coding games to engage children while teaching them about the practical applications of artificial intelligence across various industries.
“Programming isn’t just a hobby,” Jerry says. “It’s a tool that can help others.” Now an experienced algorithm engineer, Jerry continues the mission of his original coding club through this EA course. “In today’s fast-changing tech landscape, it’s crucial for students to be introduced to programming at an early age. As technology continues to evolve, programming will likely become a fundamental skill for anyone entering the workforce. The problem-solving skills developed through coding will always be in demand.” Through his course, Jerry hopes students will not only learn to code but also cultivate a curiosity for future technologies and their potential.
“Passion is difficult to cultivate,” Jerry shares. “It’s harder to find passion than to acquire skills. Skills can be developed with practice, but passion can’t be taught. Even after years of working in tech, it’s my passion that keeps me going.” Jerry’s love for programming has remained constant throughout his career. “Even if I move away from the tech industry, programming will always be a personal passion.” Reflecting on his time at BCIS, Jerry says, “Everyone at BCIS had a clear sense of purpose and passion. That wasn’t a coincidence—BCIS gave us the space and support to think, experiment, and explore. It allowed us to create the future with intention.” For Jerry, this encapsulates the essence of the "great education" BCIS provides.
When people think of progressive education, they may often think of BCIS’ APEX Center, where students build robots through exciting in-class projects, or intense VEX robotics competitions. There are also project exhibitions where students apply their classroom knowledge to tackle real-world issues like sustainability and development. Jerry’s EA course is another reflection of BCIS’ vision for future education. As young students engage with programming and learn about artificial intelligence, they are not just gaining technical skills—they are igniting their imagination and curiosity about the technologies of tomorrow.
At the same time, the progressive education at BCIS is about more than just imparting knowledge. It’s about nurturing passion, creativity, agency, and a broad vision—qualities that empower students to shape the future and influence the communities around them. As BCIS celebrates its 20th anniversary, the school proudly celebrates its over 550 alumni, who now span 23 countries and regions. Many have gone on to prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Cambridge, and Oxford; others work at leading companies like Apple, KPMG, and JPMorgan Chase; and some have even founded their own businesses. Like Jerry, they carry with them a sense of purpose, passion, and determination, excelling in their chosen fields.
