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Teachers

Virginia University Offers First-of-Its-Kind Graduate Certificate Program for High School Teachers

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In recent years, Virginia has seen a significant increase in high school students pursuing dual enrollment courses, with a 54% rise since 2012. However, this surge in demand has also highlighted a glaring need for more high school teachers qualified to teach dual enrollment computer science courses. To address this shortage, Old Dominion University (ODU) has partnered with the Virginia Department of Education to launch the first-of-its-kind Computer Science for Teachers Graduate Certificate. This program, designed by Assistant Chair and Professor of Computer Science Michele Weigle, Ph.D., and math teacher Lesley Frew, provides high school teachers with the necessary skills and credentials to teach computer science courses to their students.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Computer Science for Teachers Graduate Certificate program is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Virginia, aimed at addressing the shortage of high school teachers qualified to teach dual enrollment computer science courses.
  • The program was designed by Assistant Chair and Professor of Computer Science Michele Weigle, Ph.D., and math teacher Lesley Frew, who is also a graduate of the program.
  • The certificate program consists of six graduate courses in computer science, which can be completed online and asynchronously.
  • The program is specifically designed for working teachers, with a focus on flexibility and accommodation.
  • Lesley Frew, a math teacher at McLean High School in Fairfax, was the first graduate of the program in 2022 and has since pursued her M.S. degree in computer science and is currently working on her Ph.D.
  • The ODU faculty has been praised for their flexibility and support, with one faculty member writing, "I know some of you work full time, I'm going to work with you" on his syllabus.

Statistics:

  • A 54% increase in high school students pursuing dual enrollment courses in Virginia since 2012.
  • STEM jobs are projected to grow by almost 11% by 2031, almost twice as fast as all other fields.
  • The Computer Science for Teachers Graduate Certificate program is an 18-credit certificate that counts toward a Master of Science degree in computer science.
  • The program is specifically designed to accommodate working teachers, with a focus on flexibility and support.

Sources:

  • Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • News release from the State of Virginia
  • Interview with Lesley Frew, math teacher at McLean High School in Fairfax
  • Interview with Dr. Michele Weigle, Assistant Chair and Professor of Computer Science at ODU
  • Article from the ODU website about the Computer Science for Teachers Graduate Certificate program

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