Committee Volunteers

Policy Committee Member

Rudy Escobar

My CSTA Story

Since joining CSTA, Rudy has been an active member of CSTA Sacramento and CSTA California Far North. As a tech manager, he provides technical support and promotes equitable access to computer science education. Rudy is also a leader in the CSTA LatinX Affinity Group and a member of the CSTA Policy Committee, contributing to discussions on advocacy, policy, and professional development. Rudy is also a 23- 24 Equity Fellow. He is committed to CSTA’s mission of promoting high-quality CS education for all students.

My Story

Rudy is a STEM and Computer Science Coordinator with expertise in STEM, focusing on science, computer science, and engineering. With over a decade of experience, he is a highly accomplished educator and advocates for equitable access to computer science and STEM education. Prior to education, Rudy worked in the pharmaceutical, environmental, and food industries using his engineering, science, and computer science background. Rudy specializes in PreK-12 computer science, STEM, physical computing, robotics, project-based learning, engineering, science and NGSS assessments, and PBL curriculum development. Rudy promotes computer science and STEM education in California through conferences, workshops, and initiatives, advocating for equitable opportunities for all students, particularly underrepresented ones. As a micro:bit champion he has directed micro:bit and science conferences. Rudy’s expertise has also been instrumental in evaluating and revising training tools and incorporating current trends and data into the standard curriculum for Science, STEM, computer science, and engineering.

Workshop Chair / Incoming Conference Chair, Conference Committee

Ruth Farmery

My Story

Dr. Ruth Farmery is the Regional Chapter Support Coordinator for the Northeast, supporting CSTA chapters in New England, Pennsylvania, and New York, and is a chapter leader of CSTA Greater Boston. Outside of CSTA, Ruth is Director of K-12 Computer Science and a 7-12 Science Coordinator at a charter school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ruth is dedicated to computer science for all and providing authentic learning opportunities within and beyond the CS curriculum. Ruth moved to the U.S. from the UK in 2014, and outside of work enjoys travel, reading crime fiction, cooking & playing video games.

Elementary Subcommittee Member, Conference Committee

Saul Duarte

My Story

Saul is a tech coach with experience in K12 special education, multicultural education, teacher training, research, and instructional technology.

Chapter Leader Committee Member

Shawn Draczynski Tobin

My CSTA Story

CSTA was my connections to other CS educators! It let me build a network of support and I am so excited to give back to other members as we continue along the journey!

My Story

Computer Science and Science educator in CT! I am a chapter leader and am excited to serve CSTA on a larger scale.

Editorial Board Committee Member; Policy Committee Member

Sofia De Jesus

My CSTA Story

Sofía first learned about CSTA when she was looking for resources for a program in Computational Thinking she was building for a school where she taught. She fell in love with the community and the resources she has found as part of CSTA. She has volunteered in multiple committees through CSTA and is a 2023-24 Equity Fellow.

My Story

Sofía De Jesús is the author of Applied Computational Thinking with Python (2nd edition due out 2024), and has over 20 years of experience in education, combining time in the classroom with curriculum design and providing professional development to other educators. Sofía completed a Masters in teacher education and all coursework for an EdD (abd). Sofía is the associate program manager and Spanish outreach lead for CMU CS Academy team. She has presented in multiple national and international conferences on equitable CS education, accessibility, and equitable assessment practices. Sofía is a 2023-24 CSTA Equity Fellow.

Professional Development Committee Member

Stephen King

My CSTA Story

Stephen King is a part of the Professional Development Committee.

CSHS Committee Member

Sylvia Wood

My CSTA Story

In 2017, I joined a group in Texas to support CS and Cyber Education. In the process, I became aware of several national organizations that champion CS Education. I became a member of CSTA in order to help me support CS in my school and district. Since then, I have been asked to serve as an officer for my local chapter and have established an CSHS Chapter at my high school. Through CSTA, I have found meaningful resources, established friendships, and have found my inner CS Hero!

My Story

Sylvia current teaches Computer Science and Cyber courses at St. Dominic Savio CHS in Austin, TX. She has been an educator for more than 30 years. Education is in her blood – including her grandmother, uncles, and sister. Sylvia holds a Master’s Degree from Texas Tech in Career Education with an emphasis on Instructional Technology. In addition to her teaching career, Sylvia is a Code.org Facilitator (CSP & CSA), APCSA Reader, and an occasional contributor to Albert.io resources.

Reflective Teachers Committee Chair; Past Conference Committee Chair

Vicky Sedgwick

My Story

Vicky Sedgwick is a retired K-6 Computer Science teacher. Vicky was a writer on the 2017 CSTA K–12 Computer Science Standards and served as the K-2 Grade Band Lead on the AI for K12 Initiative. She was also a writer on the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers and is currently still part of the group working on resources for reflective teachers.

Chapter Leader Committee Member

Willy Orozco

My CSTA Story

I started my teaching career as a science teacher and at some point was asked if I wanted to teach CS. I agreed and that same summer I attended my first CSTA conference. I immediately feel in love with the organization. Back then there was no chapter in Miami, and when the opportunity arose to start one, I immediately jumped in. I am no longer in the classroom, but still heavily involved in CS education. I could not be able to make the impact I do today if it was not for CSTA. I am who I am, thanks to CSTA!

My Story

Willy is the FL Regional Manager for the Microsoft Philanthropies Program TEALS and President of CSTA Miami. Willy helps build sustainable computer science (CS) programs in high schools with a focus on serving students excluded from learning CS because of race, gender and geography, and classroom teachers to learn to teach CS on their own by pairing them with industry volunteers and proven curricula. With CSTA Miami he focuses on building the community of CS educators and improving CS education in general. Prior to joining TEALS, Willy was the Chair of the Engineering and Computer Science department at one of the most prominent independent schools in SoFL. He earned his bachelor in Earth Science Education from FIU. He has 3D printed prosthetic hands for kids, and is a Magic Wheelchair builder. Willy lives in Miami, FL with his wife Yvy, son Mateo, daughter Luna Mia, two dogs, Lobo and Peppa.

Elementary Subcommittee Member, Conference Committee

Wonjin Yu

My Story

Wonjin Yu is currently a graduate researcher as a Ph.D. student in Learning, Design, and Technology at Purdue University, United States. Also, he has worked in South Korea as an elementary school teacher in Daegu City since 2012 and as a university lecturer at Daegu National University of Education (DNUE) in 2021. He taught computer science education including the national curriculum of software education, and education with technology to pre and in-service teachers in South Korea. He majored in elementary computer education in his master’s and he has interests in computer science education for all and various emerging technologies for education including Artificial Intelligence (AI) education.