A Nixa couple, Rob and Tracy Hedgpeth, have become the newest franchisees of Code Ninjas, an international company that provides coding and technology-based education to children. The Nixa franchise is set to open in spring 2025, potentially as early as March, and will bring the Code Ninjas program to southwest Missouri, offering a unique opportunity for local kids to develop valuable coding and problem-solving skills.

Empowering the Next Generation of Tech-Savvy Innovators

Filling a Void in the Local Education Landscape

When the Hedgpeths moved to Nixa in June 2024 to provide their adopted 4-year-old son, Darius, with a thriving community, they quickly realized that the area lacked a technology-driven education program that taught coding. Determined to change this, the couple began searching for a franchise that could bring such a program to the region."When we moved to Nixa, we were looking for something like this for our son to go to and it just doesn't exist," said Rob Hedgpeth. The couple's desire to ensure that Darius and other local children have access to cutting-edge educational opportunities was the driving force behind their decision to become Code Ninjas franchisees.

Embracing the Code Ninjas Approach

Code Ninjas is a unique program that combines the principles of martial arts with a focus on coding and technology-based education. Each franchise location is known as a "dojo," and the coding teachers are referred to as "sensei," who guide the young "ninjas" through their learning journey.The curriculum at Code Ninjas is designed to teach children aged 5 to 14 not only the fundamentals of coding, but also critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are encouraged to unleash their creativity as they build their own video games, gaining valuable STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills in the process.

Adapting the Curriculum to Meet Local Needs

One of the key factors that attracted the Hedgpeths to the Code Ninjas franchise was the program's adaptability. With Rob Hedgpeth's background in technology and computer science, and Tracy Hedgpeth's expertise in education, the couple was determined to ensure that the curriculum offered at their Nixa location would be tailored to the specific needs and interests of the local community."They have set curriculum, but we do have the ability to get in there and modify it," said Rob Hedgpeth. "We want to make sure that it's something that's relevant to the community and what kids want to learn and what parents want kids to learn."

Addressing the Growing Demand for Coding Skills

The Hedgpeths' decision to bring Code Ninjas to Nixa is driven by the increasing demand for coding and technology-related skills in the job market. Rob Hedgpeth, who works as a principal architect at Microsoft, understands the importance of these skills and the need to nurture them in the next generation."Technology 'is coming for us and we're going to need the talent, even locally,'" said Rob Hedgpeth. "Not only our son, but just the area in general."By providing children in the Nixa area with the opportunity to develop coding and problem-solving skills, the Hedgpeths aim to equip them with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Fostering Partnerships and Accessibility

The Hedgpeths are committed to making the Code Ninjas program accessible to all children in the Nixa community. They plan to work closely with local schools and organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Scouts of America, to ensure that the program reaches a wide audience.Additionally, the couple is dedicated to establishing scholarship opportunities to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent any child from participating in the Code Ninjas after-school program."That's a big initiative of ours, to make sure this is, like, open from an opportunity perspective," said Rob Hedgpeth. "Talent doesn't just center on the people that can afford it."

Expanding the Reach of Code Ninjas in Southwest Missouri

The Nixa Code Ninjas franchise is not the Hedgpeths' only venture in the world of educational franchises. The couple has also founded Launchpad Learning Group, LLC, with the goal of building a network of kid-oriented educational franchises in the region.While the initial focus is on the Code Ninjas franchise in Nixa, the Hedgpeths have their sights set on potentially expanding the program to other communities in southwest Missouri, including Springfield and the surrounding areas."If this does well, we do want to expand it," said Tracy Hedgpeth. "We really believe in the curriculum and what they're doing. It would be great if we could open up a secondary location, we just have to get the first one off the ground."With their passion for providing children with access to cutting-edge educational opportunities and their commitment to tailoring the Code Ninjas program to the needs of the local community, the Hedgpeths are poised to make a significant impact on the educational landscape of southwest Missouri.