SPOTLIGHT – DR RUGGIERO
The Spotlight shines on Dr. Dana Ruggiero, our rubber duck loving Head of Computer Science.
Meet Dr. Dana Ruggiero, our enthusiastic Head of Computer Science who has a unique love for rubber ducks! Hailing from the United States, Dana boasts an impressive academic background with a BSc, MA, and PhD. Her journey has taken her across various states, including Florida, Minnesota, Alaska, and Indiana, and she has enriched her experiences through extensive travel, serving as a Reader at a university.
Dana’s path to teaching was unexpected. Initially pursuing a degree in Child Psychology, she found her passion for education when she responded to a job advertisement for an IT teacher. This pivotal moment opened the door to her fascination with computer science, fueled by her expertise as a code breaker and her love for games – both creating and deconstructing them.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Dana is a devoted family person, raising two children alongside her husband and their beloved dog. When she’s not immersed in code or teaching, you can find her diving into non-fiction books, boxing or enjoying board game nights with her family.
How long have you worked at Warminster?
Just over 5 months.
We are intrigued about the rubber ducks in your classroom – can you tell us more?
In software engineering rubber duck debugging (or rubberducking) is a method of articulating a problem to an inanimate object. The name is a reference to a story in the book The Pragmatic Programmer in which a programmer would carry around a rubber duck and debug code by forcing themselves to explain it, line by line, to the duck. Big tech companies also give their new recruits rubber ducks when they start and it’s a fun and simple way to aid pupils when they get stuck.
Describe a typical Warminster day for you?
I drop my children off at the Prep School, have a morning chat with Mrs. Cross, a busy day of teaching, lunch, teaching, clubs and then pick up the children and go home.
What do you think makes Warminster a special place to live and learn?
Everyone here is kind, and the pupils are eager to learn.
What is your favourite House event?
So far? House Sing.
What other Warminster role would you like to try for a day and why?
Estates. I am fascinated by what it takes to keep Warminster running.
What would surprise us about you?
I lived at the end of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and had to carry a shotgun to school in case of bears.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
A truck driver.
What did your school reports say about you?
That I would never accomplish anything and that I had the attention span of a flea.
Your note/advice to teenage self?
It doesn’t matter what other people think about you.
Your mantra/motto or favourite quote?
Make good choices.
Any hidden ambitions still to achieve?
To flush a toilet on the equator to see which way the water goes.
A favourite possession you would save from a fire?
My passport.
Biggest bugbear?
Clutter.
Favourite musician/group?
Dolly Parton and Itzak Perlman
Guilty pleasure?
Eating shredded cheese while standing in front of the open refrigerator.
What is your MasterChef signature dish?
Chicken Cacciatore.
Favourite TV programme/boxset?
Mindhunter.
Last book you read?
Heart A History By Sandeep Jauhar.
Last movie watched?
Jaws.
Which actor would play you in a movie about your life?
Danny Devito.
Favourite tipple?
Ice water.
Favorite place/city in the world and why?
Lhasa, Tibet. The contrast of the new Chinese infrastructures with the ancient culture makes quite a sensory clash.