TEALS promotes computer science education by partnering classroom teachers with tech industry professionals.  The 10 year old nationwide program (www.tealsk12.org) is well established and is growing; 1,500 TEALS volunteers from more than 500 companies impacted 18,000 students within 500 schools in 2019.

PCS will join that surge next year.

In a desire to provide in-depth Computer Science (CS) offerings, PCS Jr/Sr HS Principal, Sherri James contacted TEALS, a volunteer based program that is part of the Microsoft philanthropic organization. After a rigorous application and acceptance process, PCS has been approved to offer “Introduction to Computer Science” as its inaugural TEALS class.  The first PCS offering will include instruction using visual block-based programming and the Python language.

Co-teachers Mr. Matt Caldwell and Mr. Nathan Shotwell (program coordinator) will be working with the MS regional manager and volunteers from the industry this summer, preparing the curriculum for the year-long course.   Notes Mr. Shotwell who is also the school’s IT Specialist, “it’s a great program – especially in the utilization of industry professionals. This is a step towards encouraging diversity in CS and an excellent opportunity for students looking for an early start in the profession.”