The T³ community inspired me to become certified to teach computer science.
Background
I took Pre-AP Computer Science my sophomore year of high school. I really enjoyed the class, so I signed up to take AP Computer Science the following year. I was the only girl in my AP Computer Science class. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed computer science.
I have always known that I was going to be a teacher. I decided that I was going to be a math teacher during my junior year of high school. My mom and I visited with an adviser at Texas A&M University the summer before my senior year of high school. The adviser suggested that I pursue alternative certification for teaching and get a BS in applied mathematics. The BS degree did not require a minor, but my mom wanted me to have something to fall back on if teaching did not work out. I graduated from Texas A&M University in 2004 with a BS in applied mathematics and a minor in computer science.
Mini PD Day
Fast forward to October 2016. I attended a mini PD for T³ instructors on coding and the TI-Innovator hub. We worked through several of the activities at TI Codes. I had not done any coding in 12 years, but I was quickly reminded how much I enjoyed coding in the six hours I spent with other instructors.
Used a loop to change the color. #T3Learns pic.twitter.com/vaNmfRvKYJ
— Jennie K (@JennieKelly04) October 22, 2016
Banana switch #T3Learns pic.twitter.com/P4yizbPRh2
— Jennie K (@JennieKelly04) October 22, 2016
Certification
Upon returning to my district, I was speaking with the math/science advanced academics specialist about my experience at the mini PD and told her that I might like to get my computer science certification. She told me that there was money available from the state of Texas to encourage Texas teachers to obtain computer science certification. She sent me the information about WeTeach_CS.
In June, I took and passed the TExES Computer Science 241 test. I am now certified to teach computer science.
Although I will not be teaching computer science this year, I hope to incorporate some 10 minutes of code into my classes, and hopefully, inspire a love of coding in my students.
What have you been inspired to do as a result of your professional development?