Julie Alano is a face that is commonly recognized around the school, whether it’s knowing her as the track and field coach or as one of the many teachers who teach computer science. Alano is from Waldron, Indiana, about 45 minutes from Fishers, and grew up on a farm. A tri-sport athlete in high school, Alano played basketball and ran track, and after joining cross-country her sophomore year of high school, became the only girl on the team. By senior year, the team grew, expanding to five girls and qualifying for regionals. Alano first started her journey into teaching during high school, when she started cadet teaching with her basketball coach at the elementary school nearby. While Alano enjoyed teaching, elementary didn’t feel like the right route and the want to coach led her to choose to teach in high school.
“I enjoyed helping others and being able to work with other people,” Alano said. “That’s why I got into it.”
When Alano first joined our HSE, she was teaching math. By her second-year at HSE, Alano’s minor in computer science allowed her to teach a new computer science class, eventually expanding into the department today, including nine different classes for those interested in coding. It was about 10 years ago when Alano fully transitioned to teaching exclusively computer science. Alano loves to be involved in many areas and as department chair works with the agriculture, engineering and family and consumer sciences programs.
Alano has a particular interest in the uses of artificial intelligence in schools, and hopes to educate teachers and students about how AI works, the different types of AI and how and when it is appropriate to use in school. Alano hopes to leave behind a great computer science department and to be able to help students find a passion for it and help them understand the modern technology that the world is creating. Alano’s success is not exclusive to the classroom, but in coaching track and field as well. She is very grateful for the amount of athletes that join and try their hardest, as well as the community and family that she was given the opportunity to join and be a part of.
With the amount of classes and extracurriculars Alano is involved in, her schedule could be quite tough. However, Alano doesn’t let that get to her.
“What has helped is to not get stressed about some things and not worried about things and just remember why you’re here is to help students,” Alano said. “However you can do that. If something isn’t going your way, just remember to focus on students.”
Overall, Alano wants to help students and athletes at this school as best as she can to help them find their passion or the things they want to do in the future. Royals supporting Royals.
