Quarter 3 is officially underway in the Web Development & Design program, and students are already engaged in meaningful work that continues to build their technical skills and professional readiness. I am excited to share several updates that highlight student achievement, upcoming opportunities, and the continued growth of our program.
Student Achievement Spotlight
Each quarter, students write a blog post focused on topics related to web development, design, and emerging technology. Recently, Samir Sunuwar took this assignment to an exceptional level by submitting his blog post to PennLive, where it was officially published. Having student work recognized by a major media outlet is a tremendous accomplishment and speaks to the quality of thought leadership our students are capable of producing.
Read the published article here:
Upcoming State Competitions
Competition season is approaching, and we are proud to have students representing our program at the state level through both FBLA and SkillsUSA. These events challenge students to apply their technical knowledge in competitive, performance-based environments that mirror real workplace expectations.
FBLA State Events:
- Sales Presentation
- Graphic Design
- Introduction to Programming
SkillsUSA State Events:
- Technical Computer Applications
- Web Design
Students are actively preparing, refining their skills, and strengthening their technical accuracy as they get ready for competition.
Curriculum Growth and Instructional Planning
Now in my third year of teaching, I continue refining the Web Development & Design curriculum in collaboration with our instructional coach and curriculum coordinator. This ongoing work focuses on strengthening unit structure, establishing clear instructional timeframes, and aligning assessment strategies to support student mastery.
The goal is to create a classroom experience that is rigorous, organized, and aligned with industry expectations so students are well prepared for both postsecondary education and the workforce.
Example curriculum roadmap for 10th grade year.
Senior NOCTI Exam Preparation
Our senior students have begun preparing for their NOCTI exams by completing practice assessments known as “MOCTIs.” These written and practical exams are intentionally designed to simulate the format, expectations, and rigor of the actual NOCTI.
Starting this preparation early allows students to become familiar with the testing structure, identify areas for growth, and build confidence well before the official exam.
Program Update: State Curriculum Modernization
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design task grid (11.0801) is currently undergoing a significant modernization. I had the privilege of serving on the state review committee, collaborating with educators and industry professionals to evaluate and strengthen the curriculum so it continues to reflect current workforce expectations.
The proposed updates place a stronger emphasis on modern coding standards, content management systems, internet marketing, and artificial intelligence. These enhancements are designed to ensure students graduate with skills that align directly with today’s technology careers.
While the revisions are in the final stages of approval, the process is approximately 90% complete. Once finalized, the updated task grid will apply to graduating classes of 2027 and beyond, positioning our students for continued success in an evolving digital landscape.