After spending 16 years teaching at Algonquin, computer science teacher Daniel Forhan will retire this June, leaving a legacy of passion for programming and helping students.
Forhan has taught every single computer science course that Algonquin has to offer: AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, C++, C++2, Python, Game Development and HTML. His passion for technology was sparked at an early age, and he has been able to witness the rise of the computer science field from a niche subject to something that permeates all disciplines.
“[Computer science is] just something that I was drawn to early on and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing it evolve from ground zero,” Forhan said. “I initially went [to college] for chemistry because I loved chemistry as well. I loved science, but at the same time I really loved computer science and I taught myself many languages.”
With an affinity for science and technology, Forhan was attracted to teaching, and it has given him deep fulfillment.
“I just love helping people,” Forhan said. “I love helping students and seeing them succeed. It just gives me a lot of joy.”
Sophomore Konon Kurashige, a student in Forhan’s AP Computer Science class, believes Forhan’s knowledge and dedication towards his students is motivating.
“As a teacher, he always provided lots of materials and he was able to give us another teaching perspective,” Kurashige said. “A lot of the [computer science] concepts are pretty difficult to understand, and he was able to really break it down for me and help me interpret processes.”
Forhan already had decades of experience before joining Algonquin, working as a computer science and chemistry teacher at a Catholic school, as well as a school technology director. At Algonquin, he served as the Computer Programming club adviser and helped lead the team to victory in numerous programming challenges.
“We won various competitions at colleges such as Providence College, W.P.I. [Worcester Polytechnic Institute] and Fitchburg State [University],” Forhan said. “We also competed at online competitions such as Hackathon, where Algonquin came in top 10 in the whole world.”
Forhan’s colleagues say his passion and dedication for computer science is unmatched.
“[Forhan] loves computer science more than anyone I know,” social studies teacher Gina Johnston said. “Every kid I have who takes computer science, it’s just amazing to see how proud they are of their work and how proud he is of them. And it’s just nice because computer science is such an important part of the world.”
Forhan has enjoyed his time at Algonquin, and plans to continue teaching in some capacity after his retirement.
“I am moving to Florida this summer, and I am going to probably keep working part time, either teaching or something else, and spending time with my daughters who live there,” Forhan said.
Most importantly, Forhan feels that the school community has left its mark on him, and he will truly miss teaching here.
“[Algonquin has] impacted me in a very profound way because I find situations where the teaching of my students has given me great joy and a sense of satisfaction and purpose in my life,” Forhan said.
