February Newsletter
February 25, 2025
Upcoming Dates
Thank you all who attended the February 10 meeting. The effort you put toward planning the 2025 Summer Launch was indispensable.
We look forward to seeing everyone on the upcoming dates:
- February 27
- Event: Olympiad
- Time: 9:00 am- 1:00 pm
- Registration and Breakfast at 9:00 am
- Lunch will be served at 11:15 am
- Award Ceremony at 1:00 pmLocation: PSU Ballroom
- Location: PSU Ballroom
Trophies will be awarded to the first four teams to finish, and all participants will receive a certificate of completion, as well as a goodie bag from the MSU Bookstore. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will also be provided for those in attendance.
To ensure we have enough resources for all participants, we kindly ask that you RSVP for the Olympiad, even if you are unsure whether your students will attend. Feel free to bring a school administrator! Working with your administrators helps us advance future program efforts. If you decided to bring someone, let us know so we can accommodate them.
We also want to remind you to bring the following supplies for the Olympiad:
- A Working Laptop/Chromebook
- 3 microbits
- 2 cutebots
- Batteries, chargers, and cables
Thank you for helping us prepare for the Olympiad!
- March 10
- Event: Spring Regroup, Planning, and Make-up Day
- Time: 9:00 am- 3:00 pm
- Location: PSU 315
- June 2-5
- Event: Introduction to Coding in the Classroom
- Time: TBD
- Location: PSU Union Club
- June 3-5
- Event: Co-Create, Collaborate, and Deep Thinking Session 1
- Time: TBD
- Location: TBD
- July 16-17th
- Event: Co-Create, Collaborate, and Deep Thinking Session 1
- Time: TBD
- Location: TBD
Current List of 2025 Participants
If you were expecting to see someone’s name and it’s missing, please have them contact Bradley Lee at Bl53s@MissouriState.edu to apply.
Returning Participants
- Jennifer Austin, Neosho Middle School
- Tracey Blaue, Spokane Middle School
- Riquelme Chaves, Waynesville – Wood Elementary
- Abbi Coy, Purdy Middle School
- Tara Farquhar, Hollister
- Sarah Goss, Skyline R-2
- Jessica Harley, Skyline R-2
- Doug Hepler, Jarret Middle School
- Mary Hepler, Clever Middle School
- Gara Ipock, Mountain Grove Middle School
- John Moore, Neosho Middle School
- Kathy Picard, Willow Springs
- Rebecca Picard, Mountain Grove Middle School
- Brooke Remerscheid, Shell Knob
- Aleth Rogers, Mountain Grove Middle School
- Jen Sandvos, Logan-Rogersville Upper Elementary
- Leslie Stillings, Ava Middle School
- Millie Thompson-Krug, Shell Knob
- Carissa Willey, Purdy Middle School
New Participants
- Dawn Bews, Jefferson City
- Bryan Bolton, Hallsville School District
- Jaime Brust, Granby Elementary
- Diane Burke, Washington School District
- Kaylee Davis, Valley R-4
- Raquel DeSouza, Waynesville Middle School
- Alysha Dotson, Cabool R-4
- Lauren Dyer, Booneville R-1
- Julianne Edgar, Iron County C-4 School District
- Nicole Fritts, Harrisburg Middle School
- Brandy Harris, Jefferson R-7 School District
- Debbie Heisler, Wright City
- Lydia Hill, Sturgeon R-5
- Taylor Hinman, Blackwater R-2
- Emma Huckelberry, Senath-Hornersville Middle School
- MacKenzie Loesch, Dixon R-1
- Jess McDonald, Logan-Rogersville
- Jennifer Mitchell, Mountain Grove Elementary
- Katherine Schack, Wentzville School District
- Dawn Schade, Reeds Spring Elementary
- Kendra Snow, Mansfield R-4
- Amber Southard, Miami R-1 Elementary
- Cathy Trigg, Cole R-1 School District
- Melissa Walker, Wheatland R-2 School
- Christina Wallace, Waynesville R-6 School District
- Becky Wynne, Maryville Middle School
CODERS Close Out
As we approach the end of the fourth year of the program, we want to help spread the word about CODERS. You can assist by informing your administrators, speaking to local or school press about the program, and presenting at conferences or publishing papers.
If you are interested in presenting or publishing a paper about your work with the program, we’re happy to help with topic selection and finding appropriate venues. Each of you has valuable experience with the program worth sharing, and we would love to support you in doing so! Please contact Dr. Franklin at KFranklin@MissouriState.edu for more information.
We also encourage you to ask your districts for support as CODERS teachers. The type of support they offer will depend on what you request. The choice of what to ask for is entirely up to you, but here are some suggestions:
- Ask your administrators for support in leading an after-school club
- Request the creation of a technology class if one doesn't already exist
- If a technology class already exists, ask to expand it to include coding
- Request funding for coding projects and field trips
As you know, the more support you have from your district, the more effective your teaching will be. Don't hesitate to ask for the support you need! Let's finish this year strong!
Thank you all for your effort in the Program. The care you put into each activity and meeting is always impressive and inspiring. We could not keep the Program afloat without you.
All five lesson reflections are due by March 1. Be sure to submit them for the full stipend. We need these for the performance measures for the grant. If you have any questions about how many reflections you have submitted, email your questions to Danielle at Dr3s@MissouriState.edu.
Additional Resources
As the digital age continues to grow and expand, the expectations to know how to operate technology continues to grow. Below are some exciting learning opportunities for you and your students to explore.
Amazon Future Engineer Program
Code.org District Program
EarSketch Teachers
Opportunity for ELA Instructors
The Coach.Teach.Write. Program is looking for schools to participate next academic year. Participants will work with National Writing Project members and ELA teachers to boost student engagement and achievement in writing.
To participate, schools must meet one of the following requirements:
- Have 7th and 8th grade ELA teachers and be Title 1 eligible.
- Have 20% or more low-income students.
- Have 50% or more non-white students.
Schools can participate at no cost to their districts. Participants will recieve a total stipend of $460.
See the flyer and presentation below for more details.