From Sticky Notes to Published Pages: CAVA Student Authors His Own Success 

Managing a packed academic schedule can feel overwhelming for many students. But for Noah, a ninth grader at California Virtual Academies, staying organized is more than a skill. It is a superpower he learned at age four. 

Noah recently published his first book, Scrum for Teens: Level Up Your Learning with Half the Effort, a student-focused guide to mastering time management using the Scrum framework. Originally developed for managing software projects, Scrum helps break big goals into small, manageable tasks. What began as colorful sticky notes on his bedroom door has grown into an internationally published book, a live and on-demand workshop for professionals, and even plans for a companion productivity app. 

Noah’s journey with Scrum, a process that helps individuals and teams work more efficiently, started at home. His dad introduced the method to help Noah plan for a family trip. By seventh grade, Noah realized the system gave him a head start on assignments and reduced stress. He noticed some of his classmates struggled to stay on track. 

“I thought, ‘what if I could take what I know and teach them?’” Noah said. 

Encouraged by his seventh-grade teacher, Mrs. Ponce de Leon, Noah began writing his book. He started by journaling about his experiences with Scrum and later adopted the Mack Story method, a strategy shared by author Mack Story, who has published more than thirty books. The method helped Noah shape his content using clear chapter titles, structured openings and closings, and relatable examples designed to help readers apply Scrum on their own. He worked with an international team of editors, illustrators, and publishing professionals to complete the book. Noah also earned his credential as a Registered Scrum Master, becoming the youngest holder of the title. 

The finished book is divided into two parts. The first explains the core concepts of Scrum. The second shows how students can apply those concepts to schoolwork, group projects, extracurricular activities, and more. 

“You begin to take control of your own schedule, and from there, you have more time to do the things you want to do,” Noah explained. 

His peers are already seeing the benefits. One friend used the book’s method to write and organize her own collection of poetry. Others have created their own Scrum boards and told Noah how much more manageable their schoolwork has become. 

Noah has also applied Scrum beyond the classroom. As Team Captain of his robotics team, The Cogsmiths, he acted as the Scrum Master, guiding their workflow, helping the team prioritize tasks, stay focused, and collaborate effectively. Early in the competition, the team worked asynchronously to meet the submission deadline. Scrum kept them aligned, organized, and on track to deliver as one. For the final in-person round at the national K12 Robotics Competition, the team collaborated in real-time, building on the base Noah had developed to bring their solution to life. The result: The Cogsmiths took first place in their grade, with Scrum playing a key role in the win. 

As a student in an online school, Noah says that online learning has given him the time and space to explore big ideas, dive into projects, and work at his own pace. He continues to build on those opportunities, including attending a two-week summer engineering course at UC Berkeley where he will build a 3D printer and prototype new designs. 

Learn more about Noah’s book at scrumforteens.com.