Meet the Faculty: Former High School Teacher, OMSCS Grad Ronnie Howard Brings Student-First Mindset to SCI

Before Ronnie Howard joined the School of Computing Instruction (SCI) as a faculty member, he was a high school math teacher with a growing interest in technology. Now, after nearly five years in his role at Georgia Tech, Howard is known for his engaging teaching style, even dressing up as characters like Sonic the Hedgehog and Thor to make exams more enjoyable.

“There have been countless times when students have come to my office or stopped me after class, and you can see that ‘aha’ moment happen. That’s always rewarding,” he said.

Howard grew up in Cleveland, Tennessee, where his interest in technology began with modifying video game consoles using online tutorials. He admits, “At the time, I was just following online tutorials and didn’t really understand how any of it worked.” In high school, he also took classes like web development, computer hardware, and networking, which deepened his interest.

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Although he initially studied math and spent several years teaching high school, Howard’s pivot to computer science (CS) started with Georgia Tech’s Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program. While enrolled, he served as a teaching assistant (TA) and later as the head TA for David Joyner’s CS6750 course, an experience that ultimately opened the door to teaching CS full-time. 

“Dr. Joyner suggested that teaching at the college level might be a good fit for me,” Howard said. “Eventually, he encouraged me to apply for a faculty position in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech, and I’ve been here since January 2021.”

Howard currently teaches CS2050 (Introduction to Discrete Mathematics) and the CS3311/3312 capstone courses. His favorite is Discrete Math. “I’ve always had a fondness for math; my undergrad is in it, so it feels natural and exciting for me to teach it,” he said.

He notes that student engagement is one of the most significant differences he’s experienced since moving from high school to higher education. “Teaching high school is a much different beast,” he said. “One of the biggest challenges was keeping students engaged. Here, we have some of the most eager and motivated students in the world.”

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That enthusiasm is something Howard matches with energy and creativity. In most of his classes, he and his TAs theme their exams and dress up accordingly. He says things like that help keep students interested and make learning something they enjoy.

He hopes his students walk away with knowledge they can apply academically and in their future careers. “I hope that students walk away from my classes having learned something they can actually use,” he said. “I also want them to realize that learning doesn’t always have to be so serious.”

Within SCI, Howard describes a teaching community that’s collaborative and open to experimentation. 

“We’re given a lot of freedom to try new things, whether that means teaching a new course or experimenting with something different in an existing one,” he said. “It’s also easy to reach out and get helpful feedback or solutions.”

For those considering a teaching path in computer science, especially at Georgia Tech, Howard emphasizes the importance of a genuine interest in the work. 

“Teaching is something you really have to love; it’s not a place to just show off what you know,” he said. “If you enjoy the social interaction, the energy of a classroom, and the chance to help others grow, it can be an incredibly rewarding career.”

Meet the Faculty is an ongoing series from the School of Computing Instruction that highlights the diverse educators shaping the student experience at Georgia Tech. Each profile offers a look into the paths, passions, and personalities behind the classroom.