Nacogdoches Educators Enhance Computer Science Teaching Skills
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Several local educators are obtaining certification to teach computer science at the high school level through Stephen F. Austin State University’s JacksTeach program, part of the Texas Computer Science Pipeline initiative.
This program, funded by a $10 million appropriation from the Texas Legislature, aims to address the critical shortage of computer science teachers in Texas K-12 schools.
Skylar Chunn, a Lufkin ISD computer science teacher and SFA alumna, emphasized the program’s value as a “refresher” and a networking platform for computer science educators. She noted, “The course allowed me insight into how students might feel walking into a computer science class without prior knowledge. It provided opportunities to discuss coding strategies, enhancing my ability to help future students.”
In February 2025, the JacksTeach program was chosen as one of 14 hubs in Texas to join the initiative led by The University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Advanced Computing Center, working in concert with the nationally recognized WeTeach_CS program. JacksTeach aims to offer local training and support to educators, ensuring enhanced access to quality computer science education for students.
Dr. Jane Long, professor and JacksTeach director, secured a grant to fund the initiative’s first two years at SFA and plans to seek further funding to continue supporting at least 10 teachers pursuing certification next year. So far, seven educators have been certified, with several participants being SFA and JacksTeach alumni.
“We are proud to support these dedicated teachers in earning certification for the benefit of their students in East Texas,” said Long. She collaborates closely with Anne Marie Eubanks, a computer science lecturer at SFA, to prepare educators for certification.
The JacksTeach program allows students majoring in fields like biology, chemistry, physics, or mathematics to earn a secondary teaching certification, aligning with TXCSP’s mission to train teachers in high-demand subjects like computer science. Additionally, JacksTeach offers pathways for middle school mathematics and science certifications.
Educators interested in joining the initiative can email Long at longjh@sfasu.edu. For more information about SFA’s JacksTeach program, visit sfasu.edu/jacksteach.
