Tony Kandalaft
I make things feel like they matter.
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PROFILE
Educator, builder, and systems thinker working at the intersection of computer science, robotics, and design. Teaches students not just to write code or build robots — but to think clearly, lead teams, present their work, and solve real problems with intention. Founded a competitive FRC robotics program from scratch. Brings a design studio mindset to education: every system, space, and experience is built with purpose. Background in criminal justice, creative work, and competitive speech & debate shapes an approach to teaching that values both rigor and originality. Currently pursuing graduate study in Digital Media Design at Harvard.
EXPERIENCE
Computer Science & Robotics Teacher · FRC Head Coach · Speech & Debate Coach
2021 — PRESENT
Catholic Memorial School · West Roxbury, MA
Teaches high school Computer Science — Scratch, Python, and introductory programming — structuring all courses around project-based learning and real problem solving, not rote exercises.
Founded and leads FRC Team 9729: built a competitive robotics program from zero, earning both the Rookie All Star Award and the Rookie Inspiration Award in the team's first competition season.
Designed and manages the school's robotics workspace as a makerspace environment — students learn fabrication, prototyping, CAD, wiring, and iterative engineering through direct building.
Coaches Speech & Debate, developing presentation, argumentation, and confidence — extending CM's historically strong program that has produced state and national champions.
Mentors students across technical and leadership roles: team captains, project leads, and younger students learn goal-setting, accountability, and collaborative decision-making.
Builds the organizational systems that keep a robotics team running — scouting workflows, build schedules, role clarity, documentation, and cross-subteam coordination.
Bridges technical instruction with creative and communication skills: students learn to present their work, document their thinking, and design with intention.
Leads a Math Department Vertical Alignment initiative — designing interactive tools to map how topics and vocabulary progress across courses, giving teachers real visibility into curriculum connections.
EDUCATION
Harvard University — Extension School
Digital Media Design
IN PROGRESS
Roger Williams University
Criminal Justice
2019
Catholic Memorial School
Alumnus, Class of 2015
2015
PROGRAMS & LEADERSHIP
FRC Team 9729
Founder & Head Coach
Rookie All Star · Rookie Inspiration (2024)
Speech & Debate
Assistant Coach — Catholic Memorial School
Makerspace / Innovation Lab
Technical environment design & facilitation
Math Vertical Alignment
Curriculum mapping & interactive tool design
IC Studio
Design practice — branding, web, visual systems
Mission Control
Classroom brand & environment design
SKILLS & TOOLS
Teaching & Curriculum
CS curriculum design, project-based learning, Scratch, Python, robotics instruction, student mentorship
Design & Creative
Figma, visual design, branding, typography, layout systems, 3D modeling, photography
Technical & Engineering
FRC robotics, CAD, prototyping, fabrication, HTML/CSS, strategy & scouting systems
Leadership & Systems
Program development, team operations, workflow design, cross-functional coordination, public speaking