.jpg)
.jpg)
At Mastery Coding, we’re proud to partner with institutions and educators who are shaping the future, one line of code at a time. This month, we had the pleasure of visiting the Life Ready Center in Oklahoma, where we saw firsthand how our Game Development curriculum is empowering students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and build meaningful career skills through the exciting lens of game design.
One of the most impactful parts of our visit was stepping into the classroom of Mr. Daniel Billings, a game design and animation teacher using Mastery Coding’s curriculum to prepare his high school students for industry-recognized Unity certifications and real-world success.
Why Game Design? Why Mastery Coding?
Mr. Billings and the Life Ready Center sought out Mastery Coding with a clear goal: to equip students with practical, future-ready skills in programming and prepare them for an increasingly digital world. As he put it:
“For my students, I think it is essential for them to learn programming because it gives them an appreciation not just for the games that they're playing or making, but for just about any piece of technology - everything has some form of programming behind it.”
This foundational understanding of technology is more important now than ever. By engaging students with a hands-on, project-based curriculum, Mr. Billings is helping them build both technical proficiency and a deeper appreciation for the tech-driven world around them.
Creating a Collaborative, Engaging Classroom
Beyond the development of technical skills, one of the biggest transformations Mr. Billings has witnessed is an increase in student collaboration.
“What Mastery Coding does with their assignments - it’s made my students more collaborative. I see more often students are helping each other out more, they’re actually looking at each other’s code and comparing it.”
Mastery Coding’s project-based courses encourage peer learning, allowing students to support each other’s growth and tackle challenges together. We help students build not just technical skills, but transferable skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving - key components of career readiness.
Flexible Learning for Dynamic Environments
With a flexible and active learning environment, the curriculum had to match the pace and structure of life and learning at the Life Ready Center. Brittani Mahan, the Assistant Principal, found that Mastery Coding was the perfect fit.
“The Mastery Coding curriculum here at the Life Ready Center fits in perfectly because the coding is so hands-on and quick. Students can get what they need and move on to the next lesson or unit. That’s beneficial, because there’s a lot of movement in our building.”
The self-paced, modular design of our Game Development pathway gives students the ability to take ownership of their learning, whether they're working through fundamentals or diving into more complex projects that will become part of their digital portfolios. Additionally, educators can control the pace of their classroom by locking or unlocking portions of the curriculum for their students.
Moments That Matter: The ‘Aha’ Factor
For Mr. Billings, the most rewarding part of teaching with Mastery Coding isn’t just the tech skills students gain - it’s the small moments when learning clicks.
“I see just so many small successes that keep happening throughout the year. It’s a series of ‘aha’ moments that these kids are having, and it’s great to see that over and over again throughout every class period. I see a lightbulb go off, and the kid just starts learning it.”
These small wins steadily build perseverance and confidence. For many students, they become the spark that ignites a lasting interest in coding, design, and creative problem-solving.
Pathways to Certification and Career Readiness
Another major reason the Life Ready Center chose Mastery Coding? The pathway to industry-recognized certifications.
“I saw that they offered certifications - and honestly, I saw the Unity symbol, and that was the first place I had to go.”
Our curriculum prepares students for industry certifications and helps build portfolios that demonstrate technical proficiency and creative capability - valuable assets whether they’re applying to college, internships, or jobs.
A Partner in Progress
Mr. Billings also emphasized the support and accessibility he’s experienced from Mastery Coding:
“Reach out to Mastery Coding. That’s been one of my biggest things as an advocate - they’re very willing to let you use it as a demo to see how well it works for you.”
At Mastery Coding, we’re proud to be more than a curriculum provider - we’re a partner in your classroom. We’re here to support your vision and help your students thrive.
Conclusion
The Life Ready Center’s implementation of Mastery Coding is a powerful example of what happens when great teaching meets purposeful curriculum. By providing a platform that’s hands-on, collaborative, and aligned with real-world outcomes, we’re seeing students gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed, not just in school, but in life.
Thank you to Mr. Billings and the entire Life Ready Center community for welcoming us into your classrooms and for inspiring us with your passion for student growth.
