Faculty Spotlight - Peter Sweeney

In January, Peter Sweeney received the Michael S. Klein '74 Chair in Computer Science. This profile, along with 3 other US teachers, was published in the 2016-2017 Philanthropic Impact Report.

Today, the importance and impact of studying computer science is undeniable. From the sweeping societal changes that big data and machine learning will bring to our society, to the recent news of cyberattacks across the globe, it is vital today’s students are knowledgeable and prepared for the future.

Mike Klein ‘74 endowed the Klein Chair in Computer Science in 1982 with exactly these needs in mind. “US has always strived to provide students with an education that both reflects the traditional values and skill sets of our world today, but also helps prepare them for the world of tomorrow,” Mike says. “The Klein Chair was established with this goal. Peter Sweeney is a talented new leader whose passion, experience, and intellect will take the US computer science curriculum into the future in great hands.”

According to Peter, “I have always been fascinated by computers. I started programming at 12 years old on the Apple IIe and never looked back.” He began his career in the computer industry, worked happily for 10 years and rose to management. At that time, he took stock of his career path and realized while he wanted to stay in the field, he also wanted to make a more meaningful impact with his work. He quit his job to go back to school full time and earned a master’s degree in education.

After teaching math, computer science, and networking for nine years at Brush High School, Peter joined the US faculty in 2014. He worked hard to develop and deliver a curriculum that is accessible, advanced, and modern which made an immediate impact – enrollment in Peter Sweeney computer science classes doubled after his first year. He also started the US Robotics Team, which earned a berth in the state tournament in its first year of competition!

Now, as Peter begins his fourth year at US, the school boasts one of the most advanced computer science programs in the country. In the introductory computer science class, boys are exposed to HTML/CSS, Python, data analysis with Excel, Android app development, and cryptography. The AP Computer Science class is a full year of coding in the Java programming language, and US offers two levels of instruction beyond the AP level: Data Structures, which is equivalent to a second-semester college course, and Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, a new class which is often considered a graduate-level course. Peter has adapted Stanford University’s curriculum for this class.

In addition to teaching and coaching the Robotics Team, Peter hosts several summer US technology camps in programming and robotics. Several times a year, he works with US lower school boys by leading an extracurricular Coding Club.

This past summer, Peter taught a programming course at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and used the Klein Chair funds to travel to the Computer Science Teachers Association national conference in Boston. He also used some of the funds to supplement the new AI course. Peter is developing courses for US in cybersecurity and app development, and hopes to encourage a “Coding for All” initiative at the school.

"I am grateful every day that I work at US. It is a teaching environment that challenges and encourages me to do my very best," Peter says. "Most important, I feel that it is a place that supports me both now and in the future."

US is grateful to witness his passion for computer science reaching all corners of the US community.