2024-25 Equity Fellows – Teacher Cohort

Meet the 2024-25 CSTA Equity Fellows – Teacher Cohort! 

Shilpa Agrawal

Shilpa Agrawal is a founding staff member of Comp Sci High and currently serves as the Director of Computer Science, coaching all the CS teachers in the school and overseeing the 4-year course progression, and the APCSA teacher. In her past 7 years at at Comp Sci High she has taught various classes including AP Computer Science A, Software Engineering, Intro to Physics-Engineering and AP Physics 1. Prior to joining Comp Sci High, Agrawal earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from MIT, and worked at Google for 3 years as a Product Manager. She is passionate about teaching computer science because the subjects allow students to discover through hands-on problem solving. She aims to help build a field of computing that not only accepts people with different backgrounds, but actively encourages them to bring their full selves to the table.

Raymond Anacaya

Raymond Z. Anacaya is an interventionist at Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School in South Carolina, with 10 years of teaching experience and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership degree. He has dedicated his career to improving reading comprehension and numeracy skills through innovative STEM projects. Raymond was named PeeDee Region STEM Educator of the Year and was one of the Top 5 Finalists for South Carolina. He introduced after-school courses in coding, STEM experiments, and robotics, significantly expanding his school’s initiatives. He also implemented the AIM (Animating Imaginations in Motion) project, which led to notable improvements in students’ test scores. Raymond is committed to ensuring equitable access to STEM education, particularly for underprivileged students. He continually seeks professional development opportunities and collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance educational outcomes. His passion lies in motivating students to engage with STEM early on, believing that this early exposure is crucial for underrepresented students to pursue CS careers.

Renatae Burton

Renatae Burton is a passionate educator with 14 years of teaching experience, currently at The Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence (BASSE) in Delaware, where she teaches middle school Geography, Civics and Economics, and U.S. History. In addition to her core subjects, Renatae is a dedicated computer science teacher and an advocate for STEM education. She actively promotes hands-on learning as a coach for the First LEGO League Challenge, where students engage in robotics and engineering projects. Renatae is an Applied Digital Skills Google Certified Educator and an ISTE-certified educator, integrating technology into her lessons to enhance student engagement and learning. She also serves as Delaware’s representative for the Middle States Council for Social Studies, a NewsLit and Retro Report Teacher Ambassador, and an advisor for the National Junior Honor Society. Renatae is committed to creating equitable opportunities for all students, especially in underrepresented communities. She resides in Delaware with her family.

Mark Godinez

Mark Godinez is the Lead teacher for the Academy of IT at South Dade Senior High School in Homestead, Florida, and the Miami CSTA K-16 Liaison of Student Engagement. He teaches Game Design and IT courses. During the summer he works with the Migrant Education Program with students in 4th through 8th grade. He received the Regional CSTA Teaching Excellence Award in 2023 and is a 2022 National NCWIT Educator of the Year recipient.

Mark was also named the 2019 and 2020 South Florida Affiliate NCWIT Educator of the Year and the 2018 South Dade Senior High School Teacher of the Year. He was a 2020 NASEF Scholastic Fellow promoting Scholastic Esports and Service learning.

Mark is passionate about promoting IT and Engineering outside of school. He founded a National Computer Science Honor Society to help promote computer science in his school and community. He recently earned a Computer Science K-12 Teaching Graduate Certificate from the University of Florida.

Chala Hannon

Chala Hannon is an inspiring educator and dedicated advocate for Civics and Computer Science education. With a background as an IT Analyst, Chala made a transformative shift from corporate America to the classroom, driven by a passion for teaching and community service. She currently serves as an AmeriCorps Ambassador and a LIFT-TQP Fellow, roles that underscore her commitment to educational advancement and civic engagement.

Chala is also the Co-founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young girls through data and digital skills training, reflecting her deep commitment to bridging the gender gap in technology. Her pursuit of excellence in education is further exemplified by her upcoming graduation with a Master’s in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies this December. With plans to pursue a doctorate next year, Chala continues to champion educational reform and equity, shaping the future of both her students and the broader community.

April Pelfrey

April Pelfrey is a Cybersecurity educator at Innovation Academy within Fulton County Public Schools, bringing over eight years of teaching experience from Gwinnett County Public Schools. As a second-career teacher, she draws from 15 years as a Department of Defense contractor specializing in geospatial intelligence. April is deeply committed to creating equitable opportunities in computer science education for all students. In the summer of 2023, she furthered this mission by teaching computer science and robotics in Tanzania through the Fulbright Fellowship. A graduate of the University of Georgia, April holds a master’s degree in Workforce Education and is dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower the next generation of technology leaders.

Neil Plotnick

Neil Plotnick is a computer science teacher who has been with the Everett Public Schools since 2007. He has also worked as a special education inclusion teacher in grades 9-12 in math, science, English and history throughout his career. Neil’s specialty is cybersecurity and he established the school’s innovation pathway eight years ago. He has presented at numerous CSTA regional and national conferences. Neil has created curriculum for Cyber.org and founded the Cybersecurity Educators group on Facebook. When not teaching, Neil enjoys travel and sporting events with his wife Lisa and son Marty and their cats Homer and Robin. Neil is a national winner of the PAEMST, NCWIT Aspirations Educator Award, Civil Air Patrol STEM Educator of the Year and Cyber.org Cyber Educator of the Year.

Tess Ramsey

Tess Ramsey (they/them) is a new media artist, technologist, and educator based in New York City. They run a makerspace at The Speyer Legacy School and teach Creative and Computational Thinking classes to students in grades 5-8. In addition to teaching technical skills of design, engineering and computer science, they help students develop their ‘maker mindset’ by celebrating creative agency, collaboration, problem solving, and resiliency. Before becoming a teacher, they received their BFA in Sculpture from the Tyler School of Art, where they focused on promoting gender equality through performance art, interactive installations, and community workshops. In their free time, they love to knit and search for rare vintage virtual pets to add to their ever growing collection.

Roza Shaimurat

Roza Shaimurat is an experienced Computer Science teacher, currently in her 12th year of teaching the subject. She teaches AP Computer Science Principles, Programming Year 1, and Programming Year 2 at Lisa Academy North Middle High School in Arkansas. In addition to her teaching roles, Roza is the coach of the VEX IQ Robotics Club and the Coding Club. She is passionate about promoting equity in computer science education, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to succeed. Roza holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology (MSIT) and actively works to challenge stereotypes and provide support to underrepresented groups in STEM.

Jade Solomon

Jade Solomon is a Computer Science and Math teacher at Everett Middle School in San Francisco, CA, where she teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade Computer Science and co-teaches Math 7 with the Resource Specialist Program (RSP). With a Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics from Stanford’s Graduate School of Education (GSE), Jade is committed to making STEM education inclusive and engaging. She uses Complex Instruction to promote collaboration through group work and structured roles, creating a dynamic and supportive learning environment.

Outside the classroom, Jade’s approach to teaching is shaped by her experience with positive reinforcement training for her energetic puppy, Rutabaga. She also cares for seven pet snakes, each in its own bio-active terrarium. With a background in Psychology and Computer Science, Jade spent a decade as an active member of Noisebridge Hackerspace, a nonprofit dedicated to community-driven education and innovation.