A planned computer coding academy in Columbus is still seeking a coding teacher.
Philip Hickman, Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent who is volunteering to help organize the program separate from his official duties, said interviews are ongoing and the application process is still open. But, he said, not just any candidate will do.
“We just would like more high-quality candidates,” Hickman said. “We want to be real picky — we want the right person that has the best interests of Mississippi in mind.”
Both Columbus and Jackson plan to start programs through the Mississippi Coding Academy this year. Ridgeland-based nonprofit Innovate Mississippi has partnered with the Mississippi Development Authority for the initiative, with MDA already committing $500,000 for the program’s first year.
Columbus’ academy is geared to attract 2017 high school graduates from the Columbus, Lowndes County, Starkville and West Point school districts who may not be attending college but want to develop a marketable technical skill, Hickman said. The local academy can accept up to 20 students, he added, and registration should open in the coming weeks with the goal of launching the program in late September or early October.
The academies are free for participants.
Hickman said each academy will have a classroom instructor and a coding teacher. Columbus’ academy has already hired an instructor, he said, and the Jackson academy has both teachers in place.
Salary for the coding teacher position is negotiable, Hickman said, and he noted the academy might use a full-time and part-time coding instructor, if possible. That’s especially true if it opens students to learning more coding languages, he said.
“We’re looking for the right instructor,” Hickman said. “We’re looking for one that’s knowledgeable and skillful to be able to have our kids compete at the national level. We’re trying to produce a high-end product so that we will start to attract and retain industry in Mississippi.
“High-tech industry needs coders, and once we get known for having a great workforce of coders, it will hopefully help keep some of that industry here,” he added. “Stark Aerospace — their coding happens in another state. What if we’re known for having that coding base here? Then they might do that work right here.”
Both academies will also teach students soft life skills, such as money management and workforce training, Hickman said.
Parents who are interested in registering their students for the academy, or teacher candidates who are interested in applying can contact Hickman at 662-386-5404 or [email protected].
Looking forward
The coding academies are a three-year pilot program, with plans to grow to 40 students next year and 60 students in 2019.
Hickman said CMSD’s school board has approved Columbus’ academy setting up in the Brandon Central Services building this year. For next year, he said he’s started talking with East Mississippi Community College about potentially housing the program and partnering so academy students could earn full or partial credit toward an associate’s degree.
Brandon Sesser, an instructor for information systems technology at EMCC, said there has been discussion about giving coding academy students credit for their coursework so that, if they decide to go to EMCC after finishing the academy, they don’t have to repeat courses that cover what they already know.
Sesser said the coding academies, and similar programs, are important for a state dealing with a shortage of coders. He said it’s also important for students today to learn coding because the skill is going to be a crucial for tomorrow’s workforce.
“We want to make sure there are qualified people who can fulfill the different job aspects and opportunities in the field,” Sesser said. “With the coding academy, it would help be able to bring a lot of innovation in Mississippi. We would like to see a lot of young entrepreneurs start job opportunities to help grow the awareness of information technology.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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