Worthington Students are Amazing...Coding Class at Park!

In my role as Chief Academic Officer in the The Worthington Schools, I have the pleasure of working with our Library Media Specialists. Check out the latest "Guest Blog Post" from Mrs. Jacquie Schmittauer and the coding work she is leading at

Worthington Park Elementary School.

Thanks, Jacquie!

CODING CLASS AT PARK

By: Jacquie Schmittauer

Worthington Park
Library Media Teacher

Code.org is a nonprofit organization that started the Hour of Code a few years ago. It was started as a way to bring computer programming into schools. The goal of the program was to increase participation in the field of computer science. Exposure at a young age would hopefully increase people in that career field. As a library media teacher who teaches all of the students at Worthington Park, I had all students participate in this international event for the past three years. It is always my favorite topic to teach, but one I find challenging to learn.

This year Google introduced their new curriculum for computer coding called Google CS First. The step by step program is free for educators. They even provide passport-style booklets with stickers, directions, and (thank goodness) answer keys to help direct a course for students. Video game creation is one of the courses they have developed and sounded like a fun, motivating option for students. I began the first semester with interested sixth graders.

After the first class, I knew that these students would easily pass my slow pace and knowledge.  As I have told them many times before, I was learning as they were learning. I told the students that I had a limited knowledge and that we would learn together. It was exciting to have students who were so motivated to learn.

At the end of the first semester, we started another class with more students who were interested. After seeing the excitement and expertise that developed with my first class’ students, I was disappointed to see my group move on. At this point I had a thought about one of my students who clearly is a natural at coding.Talking to him individually after the last class, I offered him the opportunity to be the teacher of the next class. I told him to think about it because he may want to participate in one of the other classes. He took a few days to consider it and then came to me to accept. As the new class began the new teacher was excited but nervous. We had talked through what he needed to do and what I would do to help support him. It took about 15 minutes for his peers to really believe he would be teaching. After the first five minutes, I knew this was the best decision that I made this entire year….maybe longer.

Over the past weeks I have seen my new sixth grade teacher grow into his role. I look forward to watching him each Friday and it warms my heart. There have been a couple of times I thought I needed to step in due to misbehavior in a couple other students in the class. Nope, he took care of it like a pro with the other students falling right back into learning. Watching his peers ask him questions and then his responses….best experience of my years of teaching. The things he remembers to say that he has heard me say was the greatest compliment of all. The delight in his eyes when he sees his friend/student learns what he taught….priceless.

Okay, maybe I am a bit late to the party to reach this epiphany in year 29. I know all teachers are told to not be the “sage on the stage”. Of course I have had many students explain and show and present to MY classes. This was completely handing over the reins and stepping completely back. Scary....Different...Seems easy….But SUPER HARD for a teacher at any level of experience.  I highly recommend any teacher try it! Students truly do surprise and amaze you!

**Many thanks to Hadi Partovi and Code.Org for introducing me to coding. Thanks also to Google for the CS First Program. Thank you to my student teacher for inspiring me! He is going to do great things in the future!