For Teachers
At HER Academy, we believe the best teachers are subject-matter experts, so that’s what we prepare you to be.
At HER Academy, we believe the best teachers are subject-matter experts, so that's what we prepare you to be.
HER Certification to Teach K-8 CS
HER Academy’s teaching certification focuses on training and credentialing K-8 teachers to develop and deliver developmentally appropriate project-based learning in computer science. No previous computer science experience is required.
Effectively empowering younger learners requires a different set of skills and approaches than teaching older learners. Learning standards for lower grades share much of the same language as those for high school, creating a barrier for teachers who would like to incorporate computer science into their teaching but may believe it’s more complicated than it actually is.
HER Academy focuses on training teachers to know more about computer science than a 12 year old. Put that way, does it seem quite as intimidating?
Becoming HER Certified to Teach K-8 CS requires you to complete 20 contact hours, twelve of which are synchronous.
Teachers who complete basic certification and one-year of on-the-job training with HER Academy qualify for HER Advanced Certification to Teach K-8 CS (30 additional contact hours).
Through completing prework and attending a minimum of eight 90-minute virtual sessions, teachers will gain experience in four domains: computer science concepts and language, project design, technology infrastructure and applications, and an elective of their choice.
Certification may be completed online nationally or in-person in Columbus, Ohio.
Sessions meet Thursday evenings from 5pm to 7:30pm EST and Saturday mornings from 9am to 10:30am. All required classes will be offered in both time slots throughout one school year.
To maintain your HER certification, just complete one 90-minute professional development session each year to ensure that you are keeping up with the latest knowledge and teaching strategies.
Get certified today
Courses
REQUIRED
- Core Concepts in Computer Science
- The Design Process
- Data Science
- Digital Security
- Inclusive Project Design
- Physical computing
ELECTIVES (choose 2)
- CS Language A: Block-based coding languages*
- CS Language B: HTML/CSS*
- CS Language C: Python*
- Discrete Math
- Game Design
*All teachers must take at least one CS language as an elective.
Upcoming Classes
Train to teach computer science or to incorporate computer science concepts and skills into other disciplines along with project-based social and emotional learning. No computer science experience required.
CS Language B: HTML/CSS
Participants will explore teaching web design to students in middle school. They will complete prework to familiarize themselves with HTML and CSS, two of the computer science languages involved in creating the world wide web, then attend a synchronous session to practice what they’ve learned and to connect web design to other disciplines.
- 5pm to 6:30pm, Thursday, 2/9/23, virtual training
Core Concepts in Computer Science
Participants will explore teaching coding and physical computing to students in grades K-6. They will complete prework to familiarize themselves with core concepts in CS, then attend a synchronous virtual session to practice what they’ve learned and to connect CS to other disciplines.
- 9 to 10:30am, Saturday 2/11/23, virtual training
The Design Process
- 9 to 10:30am, Saturday 4/8/23, virtual training
Data Science
- 5pm to 6:30pm, Thursday, 4/13/23, virtual training
Digital Security
- 5pm to 6:30pm, Thursday, 5/11/23, virtual training
Inclusive Project Design
- 9 to 10:30am, Saturday 5/13/23, virtual training
Physical Computing
Participants will explore using block-based coding to program robotic and physical computing devices.
- 5pm to 6:30pm, Thursday, 6/8/23, virtual training
(deadline to register is 6/1/23).
CS Language A: Block-based Coding Languages
- 9 to 10:30am, Saturday 6/10/23, virtual training
CS Language B: HTML/CSS
- 9 to 10:30am, Saturday 7/8/23, virtual training
CS Language C: Python
- 5pm to 6:30pm, Thursday, 7/13/23, virtual training
How our TEAM trainings work
Our comprehensive series of trainings empowers any teacher to become a computer scientist and to teach and adapt HER Academy’s computer science curriculum to their students’ needs. When you get in the classroom, you quickly become the expert on your students. We equip you with the confidence, subject-matter expertise, and ongoing community of support to meet those students where they’re at and give them what they need.
Join our TEAM
We’re rebuilding the technology pipeline from the ground up, instilling leadership skills such as problem-solving, risk-taking, and collaboration. You’re the key.
HER Academy’s Teachers Empower Agile Minds (TEAM) Initiative equips teachers from all disciplinary backgrounds to incorporate project-based social and emotional learning into their classrooms.
Teacher Playground workshop days are also available for teachers who are interested in incorporating computer science as an interdisciplinary element in English, History, Art, Math, Science, Physical Education, and other classes.
On your own
Before each training session, you will
- Watch 5-8 short video lectures (transcripts available).
- Complete exercises.
With your peers
During each training session, you will
- Discuss content and pedagogy with your instructors and peers.
- Engage in hands-on workshops to reinforce technical skills and knowledge.
In the classroom
During the school year, you’ll continue to
- Access HER Academy instructor support for your first year of teaching the curriculum via email, phone, and weekly virtual office hours.
- Share your successes and challenges with your peer group through our private Slack channel for HER Academy teachers.