Jessica Hexsel

Jessica Hexsel

Fellowship Placement: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Hometown: Alameda, CA

Jessica Hexsel last taught Geometry and AP Computer Science Principles at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, CA, where she was employed for the past eleven school years. She taught several levels of Geometry and Computer Science to all grades, 9-12, as well as a general elective course called Focus on Success and a social emotional literacy course called SELF. While teaching in Palo Alto, Jess also taught summer professional development workshops in Computer Science at the Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College for five years. Jess completed her B.A. in Mathematics at California University of Pennsylvania in California, PA, her Single-Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA, and her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Technology Leadership at Concordia University of Portland. During her first year at Gunn High School, Jess was awarded the Rookie of the Year certificate from a committee of staff and parent volunteers. The next year, she received the Very Important Person award from the same committee. She has also received recognition from the College Board for increasing participation of women in Computer Science at Gunn High School. In 2021, Jess was recognized as the Bay Area Affiliate Honorable Mention Recipient for the NCWiT (National Center for Women & Information Technology) AiC (Aspirations in Computing) Educator Award. As a Math and Computer Science teacher, Jess is most proud of and interested in the productive struggle students engage with during her courses. Jess enjoys incorporating playful problem solving into her classes as well as the rigorous problem solving that comes with the content. Jess has served on site and district-level teams and committees to expand the reach of Computer Science in the community, and support the CS for All initiative. She has volunteered at summer programs for families, students, and teachers to increase engagement with CS, as well as presented at parent education nights about the opportunities available to students and families.