Media Release
Leah C. Jennings
Community Liaison & Certification Proctor
Nassau County School Board
Career & Technical Education
(904) 556-2397 Cell
May 26, 2016 1:10 p.m.
In a world dominated by the use of computers, programming has become a highly needed skillset. Fortunately, the Nassau County School District is providing training for this field through a career education program at the Lewis “Red” Bean Nassau Technical Career Center (NTCC). The Java Programming & Application Development program opened in August of 2015. The class is instructed by Kalvin Thompson, and through his expertise the students are grasping this necessary knowledge for future career goals.
Where did this ambitious program idea come from? Cook Systems is a Java/.Net/Mainframe Consultancy who developed Fast Track’D, a free intense 8-week program to train and cultivate the best and brightest potential programmers for fulfilling and lucrative employment. Even though Cook Systems is based in Memphis, TN, Career Education Director Brent Lemond sought to bring FastTrack’D to Nassau County last summer in hopes of making the county a destination for companies seeking a strong technology workforce. When asked why he reached out to the out-of-state company, Lemond replied, “There is a significant shortage of developers in the U.S. and despite all sorts of college programs, companies are predominantly looking overseas for their workforce. FastTrack’D was the most effective solution we found, so we asked Cook Systems to help us design our high school program.”
Last summer, FastTrack’D was offered to adults at the NTCC and Mr. Thompson took advantage. Thompson shared his thought on the experience. “The Fast Track’D class provided valuable insight into Java programming and web technologies. A main emphasis of the class is the importance of working together as a team and of using various online resources to be an independent learner. You are presented with a programming problem where you have to research online resources to determine how to solve it. This simulates how in the business world you often have to do research for viable solutions.” Thompson put these principles in play when designing Nassau’s high school program. Now our high school students have the opportunity to learn this advanced technology and prepare for lucrative careers in Information Technology.
The high school Java Programming and Application Development class meets every weekday at the NTCC on FSCJ’s campus. Throughout the year, students will earn four high school credits including three courses aligned to industry training as well as a credit in AP Computer Science. Students work both autonomously as well as on group projects. They are enthusiastic about the program and several have plans to continue into the field of programming after graduation. Michael McGahee of Yulee High School shared, “This class is extremely useful in that it is directly tied to my career plans for the future.”
“I have learned to improve my ability to break down problems and solve them,” remarked Noah Emmons of Fernandina Beach High School, when asked about the critical thinking involved in successfully learning to program. “I enjoy the challenge of problem solving and having a tangible result that I can be proud of,” he supplemented with a smile on his face. Noah’s most notable result to date is earning the Congressional App Challenge prize for Congressman Ander Crenshaw’s District.
Jesse McDonald, a homeschool student, has appreciated the way this class compliments his individual studies at home. “As a homeschool student, I have the opportunity here to engage in group projects which expect me to rely on others to produce positive results.”
The students create programs which provide solutions for everyday challenges, and they enjoy seeing the programs come to life in the hands of the end-user. Michael McGahee has designed a FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) database for his school’s club. Noah Emmons is working to assist caregivers in the medical field by creating a “medical tools program.” Many of us enjoy having our technology serve as a personal assistant, and Jesse McDonald has programmed something similar to Siri in that it interacts with the user and uses string breakdowns to have educated responses.
Has this piqued your interest?
If you are a rising high school Junior or Senior and have an interest in the Nassau County School District’s Java Programming and Application Development program, this year’s students suggest that you be driven and persistent, enjoy challenges, and be patient enough to work through some trial and error problem solving. See your guidance counselor if you wish to enroll.
If you are an adult looking for a great career opportunity, you might be a candidate for FastTrack’D. Please contact Brent Lemond at (904)548-4474 for additional information. Or, you can apply to the program at http://www.cooksys.com/jax/.