Meet the 2024-25 CSTA Equity Fellows – Instructional Allies Cohort!
- Keya Belt Robinson, STEM Design Manager at the National Math and Science Initiative (Houston, TX)
- Sharisa Chan, Associate Director of Curriculum, Instruction and PD: Computer Science Equity Project at the University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
- Verna Hiser, Elementary CS Coach for Harford County Public Schools (Bel Air, MD)
- Angela Marquez, Outreach Program Manager at the University of Arizona, Data Sciences Academy (Tucson, Arizona)
- Omar Shepherd, Project Specialist, Digital Learning and Computer Science Education, at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Keya Belt Robinson
Keya Belt Robinson is a veteran STEM educator and a passionate advocate for educational justice, with over 20 years of experience teaching computational thinking across the curriculum. Keya is the mother of a neurodivergent child and has a passion for making computer science accessible for all learners. Based in Maryland, Keya currently serves as a Program Design and Innovation Manager at the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), where she develops professional development programs for STEM educators and leaders. Her work emphasizes culturally responsive pedagogy, with a focus on enhancing STEM literacy for learners who are “furthest from opportunity.” Keya is committed to diversifying the field of computer science by helping districts, school leaders, and teachers examine systemic barriers and identify gatekeepers that hinder or exclude marginalized learners. She develops programs that empower students to envision themselves in careers where they can apply their computer science skills in the future.
Dr. Sharisa Chan
Dr. Sharisa Chan is the Associate Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development for UCLA Center X’s Computer Science Equity Project. Previously, she served as a county administrator at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, focusing on equitable computer science and technology integration in education. She led sessions on Equity Minded Instruction in Computer Science for Seasons of CS and organized Innovation Day events, offering underrepresented students hands-on experience with physical computing tools tied to Global Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, Dr. Chan provided professional development for TK-12 teachers on integrating computer science into their curricula. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction, a master’s degree in Education from UC Riverside, and a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies. Dr. Chan is passionate about expanding computer science education and fostering interdisciplinary connections in the classroom.
Verna Hiser
Verna Hiser boasts 22 years in education, including 12 dedicated to gifted education and 4 focusing on computer science. A 2023 Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador, she is nationally board certified in gifted and talented education. Verna’s passion lies in providing inclusive computer science opportunities for neurodivergent students, particularly those who are twice exceptional—gifted with a disability. Her commitment to STEM education is evident through her involvement in project-based learning, Maryland Engineering Challenges, First Lego League robotics, and Destination Imagination. As a mother of three neurodivergent sons, Verna balances her professional life with her personal interests in Legos, reading, and acting.
Angela Marquez
Yá’át’ééh! Shí éí Angela Marquez yíníshyé’. Táchii’nii nishłį́, Tł’ááshchí’í ’éí bá shíshchíín. Kinyaa’áanii ’éí dashicheii áádóó Tábąąhí ’éí dashinálí. Angela Marquez is Diné, indigenous to Leupp, AZ on the Navajo Nation. Angela’s work at the University of Arizona Data Sciences Academy (DSA) is grounded in relational accountability, entering any work through the lens of serving our relatives and sharing accountability with our communities. Educators at the DSA explore questions such as “What data stories do we care about?” and “How can we use data to answer our questions?” Working with Indigenous and Indigenous serving Computer Science (CS) educators, Angela sees the value of computer science education as giving tribal community members a choice to work from home, a choice to raise families with their home community, home language and home culture. Empowering today’s students in CS allows for a more equitable future for all students.
Omar Shepherd
Omar Shepherd, serves a Project Specialist in Computer Science with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. A primary focus of his work is increasing equity and access for all students to engage in Computer Science education. Omar serves as an ambassador for CS for ALL Teachers; Girls Who Code (GWC); CSforALL SCRIPT Facilitator, Board Member, Computer Using Educators (CUE); as well as a member of Region 7, with the Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG) to support efforts to build teacher capacity across the state of California to teach Computer Science.