CATC Highlight - It’s All About the Students

Claudia Medronho Naumann leads the CATC in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Naumann has been involved in Networking since she became a researcher in 1990. Through her experience in the field, she has an insightful sense of how to impart students with the knowledge they need of Networking to succeed in the work place. Naumann’s CATC, Nucleo de Computacao Electronica, supports 12 Regional Academies and 158 Local Academies throughout Brazil. Her commitment to the program and close partnership with Cisco, Cisco Learning Institute, and local industry has enabled collaboration on vital projects as well as student growth and success.

Naumann first went through instructor training with Isaac Majerowicz for CCNA and Kevin Johnston, a pillar in the Networking Academy and now Technical Manager of the entire region, for CCNP. As Naumann began to take the program further, Johnston connected Naumann with Cisco Learning Institute to assist in managing the translation of the Cisco curriculum into Portuguese and the revision of Cisco English curriculum. The introduction of CCNA into Portuguese provided the opportunity for many students to graduate from the program and enter the job market that would otherwise not have had the chance. Additionally, Naumann assisted in developing Portuguese based accessible curriculum for visually and physically impaired students. She has since become an expert, sought out by the curriculum development team at Cisco, in this field.

Students who graduate from Naumann’s CATC have had a focus on hands-on lab time as well as access to NETLAB and Packet Tracer. This real life, real time practice transforms Naumann’s students into highly competitive employees. Naumann understands the value of the Networking Academy education: “Nowadays you can’t live without the Network. Even in a small business you need some IT knowledge and so this is a high priority.” Partners of the Academy and Cisco know the talent of the students emerging from the program and consistently hire them. In fact, one of the blind students who has since graduated from Naumann’s CCNA program is now employed by Cisco in Brazil.

Obtaining certifications, attending retooling sessions, and continuing in more advanced technology courses are all encouraged at Nucleo de Computacao Electronica. Naumann tries to construct all of her programs and courses in a way that best serves the students. Whether that is more time in the classroom with the equipment, remote access to tools, courses for professionals to brush up on skills, or the specific courses for underserved populations, Naumann’s motto is always the same: “It is really all about the student.”

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