Supt. Schwamman receives Administrator Impact award

Osage - Superintendent Barb Schwamman received the Administrator Impact award last week through the Computer Science Teachers’ Association (CSTA). The award included a paid trip to Chicago for Computer Science Education Week and the Hour of Code hosted by code.org. 

According to the CSTA, “Schwamman has supported the training of 40 K-5 teachers with Computer Science (CS) Fundamentals Workshops.”  This support has allowed the CS program to grow from zero class offerings to now offering middle and high school classes. 

Schwamman’s selection for this award was made possible through nomination with NewBoCo, one of Osage Community School District’s partners in this computer science education initiative. NewBoCo’s partnership with Osage is intended to help close the education gap as less than 60 percent of rural schools in Iowa currently offer any computer science coursework. 

In addition to her selection for this award, Schwamman has been busy ensuring the district gained funding from Governor Reynold’s recent $1 million teacher education initiative, which the district will use to further the computer science education of its teachers. 

As of this year, the district has over 100 students enrolled in a computer science classes, and welcomed Computer Education Specialist, Brian Aspinall, who provided specialized training in computer science techniques for both teachers and students ranging from third to eleventh grade. 

Technology Integrationist and Computer Science Educator, Kelly Molitor, said, “Computer science education supports the four C’s — creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. These are the kinds of skills we want to foster in our students and computer science offers an exciting new gateway to get them more involved and prepared for their futures.” 

Computer Science Educator, Chris Kyle, said, “I do not always have the answers to all of my student’s problems. That is exactly what makes computer science education so effective. We can explore and learn how to solve problems together. It enforces those problem-solving skills and allows the students to be active in their own education.” 

Molitor echoed Kyle’s sentiment, noting that NewBoCo has been available as a resource to her in planning curriculum and making it accessible to students. “Students really enjoy coding and solving problems. It is great for student engagement,” Molitor said. 

Computer science coursework will help ensure Osage students are prepared with the 21st Century skill set needed by Iowa’s workforce. Iowa still has an employment deficit when it comes to professional computer scientists and other computer related fields that is almost triple the national average, according to code.org. 

Supt. Schwamman said, “We are pleased to be a leader in putting in a Computer Science (CS) Pathway for our students in a rural Iowa school.  Our staff has been amazing in its training and implementation. Kelley Molitor and Chris Kyle have led the way with multiple trainings, classes, and grants written and received.  Our students are gaining valuable skills in collaboration, creative thinking, and problem-solving in a very viable career pathway.” 

In addition to Schwamman’s trip to Chicago on Tuesday Dec. 4, she also travelled to Seattle, Wash. on Dec. 3 as one of eight representatives from Iowa school districts, funded by code.org. 

Osage also recently offered an educational session at the Iowa Association of School Board’s titled, “Coding, Computers and Careers for your Community.” The session was focused on getting participants up to speed on all things computer science, including what it is, how to overcome barriers, benefits of offering it to students, and how it can be incorporated into districts for all K-12 students.  

To learn more about the technology and computer science initiatives in the Osage CSD, visit the district website http://www.osageschools.com/, or follow Osage Community Schools on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/osageschools/.