CSEdWeek Spotlight Series: Nikki Hendricks, WeTeach_CS Teacher

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    The WeTeach_CS program at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) educates, empowers, and inspires K-12 educators and advocates to realize the vision of computer science (CS) for all.

    Nikki Hendricks spent four years teaching computer science for Lake Travis ISD and currently serves as Senior Cybersecurity Education Specialist for the WeTeach_CS team.

    We caught up with Hendricks to hear about her experiences with WeTeach_CS, the program’s impact, and the importance of teaching CS in schools.


    WeTeach_CS/TACC: What inspired you to teach computer science?

    Nikki Hendricks serves as Senior Cybersecurity Education Specialist for the WeTeach_CS team. Credit: Photo provided by Nikki Hendricks

    Nikki Hendricks: While working as a librarian at Hudson Bend Middle School, I was named webmaster for the school website. I was leading coding clubs in the library when the school district hosted a computer gaming professional development session. Afterward, my son’s CS teacher — who sat next to me during the training — asked if I’d be interested in getting certified to teach CS. I felt too old to change careers, but she persisted. She sent me information on a two-day WeTeach_CS training in 2016. After the first day, I thought, “I can do this!” My son’s high school interviewed me for the open CS teacher position and offered me the job contingent on passing the certification exam.

    WeTeach_CS/TACC: Do you have a main takeaway from your experiences with WeTeach_CS?

    Nikki Hendricks: WeTeach_CS staff provided exemplary support when I studied for the certification exam. For teachers who may be new to CS, preparing for the certification exam can feel isolating and intimidating. I never felt alone throughout the certification process because I always had someone I could email and ask for help. Thanks to the support of the WeTeach_CS team, I never felt like I was shouting into the void and passed the exam.

    WeTeach_CS/TACC: What advice would you give a teacher new to teaching computer science/STEM?

    Nikki Hendricks: Be prepared not to know everything, and be okay with that. I asked lots of questions during my first year teaching computer science. If a student asked me how to do something and I didn't know, I’d have to say, “Hold on, let me go find out.” And now that I instruct teachers, I stress the importance of cybersecurity education because the world is so digital. Unfortunately, there are more hackers in the world than cybersecurity experts, so students and teachers must learn how to protect themselves online. I created the WeTeach_Cyber Collaborative for prospective cybersecurity teachers to do what WeTeach_CS did for me: be a support system teachers can use while learning a new topic and skills.

    WeTeach_CS/TACC: Why should teachers consider WeTeach_CS as a program and philosophy?

    Nikki Hendricks: The program is focused on computer science and not watered down by being a small part of a general computer training. WeTeach_CS professional development offers the support that future CS teachers need, and I’m an example of that. While studying for the certification exam, I could see where I was struggling and realized my students might struggle in the same areas. Being able to talk through problem areas with WeTeach_CS staff prepared me to teach in better ways for my students.

    WeTeach_CS/TACC: Thank you for your time and contributions to teaching CS and STEM, Mrs. Hendricks.