The Curriculum Developer Spotlight series on our blog highlights the unique and talented educators that write the Codelicious curriculum. Keep reading to learn more about Megan’s background, expertise, and approach to computer science in the classroom.
“I knew I wanted to share my experiences
in the classroom and be an active voice for
the teachers in our community.”
— Megan Welk
Growing up, I believed I had a grasp on the rest of my life. I always had a plan for my future, and the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” never evoked any sense of fear. From early preschool all the way through college, I constantly chased my dream: to teach.
My dream became a reality in 2013. I was excited and terrified. I was ready to make my mark and scared to mislead. I was ready to celebrate the triumphs of the classroom and clueless to the challenges that were coming my way. As any teacher knows, you simply figure it out. That is just what I did. I spent six years teaching fourth grade in Indianapolis, IN. Each and every year (more like each and every moment), I further developed my craft and continued to fall in love with changing the world, one student at a time. My passion for teaching grew to levels I never imagined were possible.
As an elementary school teacher, I experienced it all. I taught all the subjects, planned all the lessons, assessed all the levels, and at the end of the day, I knew what I was doing was making a difference. There were roadblocks, though. There were huge gaps and obstacles in the realm of curriculum. Constant change, little direction, lack of resources, and an extreme shortage of time to name a few. I was constantly hearing:
This constant modification of curriculum adoptions resulted in increased teacher prep time, long working hours, and extreme differences in teacher delivered lessons. One could say my experiences showed me the drawbacks associated with curriculum implementation, but through the turmoil, they also led me to my next phase in life.
While teaching, I developed a talent for curriculum writing and planning. Helping students progress through efficient and relevant content started to become my new dream. There was one thing for sure: I knew I needed to contribute to the evolution of education. I also knew I wanted to share my experiences in the classroom and be an active voice for the teachers in our community. Although I never imagined wavering from my childhood dream of teaching, Codelicious was my opportunity to chase my new dream – writing curriculum.
Codelicious provides computer science curriculum that is written by teachers, for teachers. From initial implementation to delivery of new content, Codelicious empowers all teachers, whether technical or non-technical, to teach computer science. The curriculum is direct, focused, and organized. It provides teachers a product that is usable in the classroom. Codelicious lessons are easily accessible and applicable for teachers across the country. We provide courses that build confidence in the ever-evolving realm of computer science.
I may not be in the classroom, but I will forever classify myself as an educator. Codelicious is educating students across the country, and I could not be happier to embark on this journey with this team. Who knows? Our courses could be the foundation for the next young person’s new dream.
