Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s JacksTeach program has been selected as one of 13 in the state to participate in the Texas Computer Science Pipeline initiative, a program designed to increase the number of teachers certified to teach secondary computer science courses. Led by The University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Advanced Computing Center through its nationally recognized WeTeach_CS program, JacksTeach will coordinate the initiative locally to provide training and support to educators, ensuring students have greater access to high-quality computer science education.
As part of the TXCSP initiative, SFA will serve as a WeTeach_CS certification hub, offering professional development and certification support for current Texas educators who wish to expand their qualifications to include computer science.
“Being chosen as a WeTeach_CS certification hub is a testament to SFA’s reputation for excellence in STEM education and teacher preparation,” said Dr. Jane Long, professor and director of JacksTeach. “The Department of Computer Science has a strong track record of preparing people for rewarding careers, and we are excited to contribute to this important initiative and help build a strong pipeline of computer science educators across Texas.”
The initiative, funded through a $10 million appropriation by the Texas Legislature, will leverage the expertise of JacksTeach, which has a strong track record of preparing secondary educators. JacksTeach allows students majoring in biology, chemistry, physics or mathematics to earn a secondary teaching certification alongside their degree — an approach that directly aligns with TXCSP’s mission to upskill teachers in high-need subject areas like computer science.
“The Texas Computer Science Pipeline represents a transformative investment in the future of K-12 computing education,” said Amy Carrell, principal investigator of the TXCSP and director of WeTeach_CS. “By leveraging the expertise of WeTeach_CS and our statewide network of partners, we are equipping educators across Texas to inspire and empower the next generation of computer scientists.”
SFA’s role in the initiative builds on its longstanding commitment to teacher preparation. Through JacksTeach, students gain hands-on classroom experience early in their academic careers, benefit from dedicated faculty mentorship, and receive specialized training in high-demand fields. This innovative approach helps bridge the gap between content knowledge and effective teaching strategies, making SFA an ideal hub for supporting educators seeking computer science certification.
For more information about SFA’s JacksTeach program, visit sfasu.edu/jacksteach.