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Mr. Tod Hessong

Mr. Hessong is a math and computer science teacher that currently works at both De Soto High School and Cedar Trails Exploration Center. He has taught Integrated Math II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Math Applications, CSP, CSA, and Cybersecurity. Additionally, Mr. Hessong serves several coaching roles, including assistant football at DHS, head boys basketball at Lexington Trails Middle School, and head boys golf coach at DHS.

Computer Science Course Offerings

  • AP Computer Science Principles

    Course description from the USD 232 Course Guide

    Students will be introduced to the central ideas of computer science, inviting students to develop their computational thinking vital for success across multiple disciplines. The course is unique in its focus on fostering students to be creative and encouraging students to apply creative processes when developing computational artifacts. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills, working individually and collaboratively to solve problems while discussing and writing about the importance of these problems and their impact on the local and global society.

    Code.org's platform used for this course is more than a traditional introduction to programming, it is a rigorous, engaging, and approachable curriculum that explores many of the foundational ideas of computing so all students understand how these concepts are transforming the world we live in.

     **This course can be taken for college credit through JCCC's College Now program.**

    Use our CSP App Store to view student-created works!

    CSP App Store

  • AP Computer Science A

    Course description from the USD 232 Course Guide

    The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies, and methodologies, organization of data (i.e., data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems.

    Curricullum for CSA is provided by Kansas State University through their Cyber Pipeline program. The Cyber Pipeline curriculum uses the basic Computational Core state-of-the-art curriculum with the latest technologies and educational practices. And best of all, the curriculum is completely free. However, the Cyber Pipeline program also provides innovative online instruction that includes video, text, and automatically graded hands-on exercises and projects. The curriculum is designed to use lectures and text from K-State faculty, as well as in-class activities and examples led by high school teachers.

     **This course can be taken for college credit through JCCC's College Now program.**

    Prerequisite: AP Computer Science Principles

  • Cybersecurity

    Course description from the USD 232 Course Guide

    Cybersecurity is a problem-based course that gives students a broad exposure to the many aspects of digital and information security, while encouraging socially responsible choices and ethical behavior. It inspires algorithmic thinking, computational thinking, and especially, “outside-the-box” thinking. Students explore the many educational and career paths available to cybersecurity experts, as well as other careers that comprise the field of information security.

    The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum is followed. Nationally, computational resources are vulnerable and frequently attacked; in Cybersecurity, students solve problems by understanding and closing these vulnerabilities. This course raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. It also aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cyber-infrastructure that moves and processes information safely. 

    Prerequisite: AP Computer Science Principles