We interviewed CSTA K–8 Board Representative Carla Neely about her CSTA experience, fondest memories, and hopes for the future of CS. Get to know Carla.
What is your name, preferred pronouns, title, and place of employment?
My name is Carla Neely (she/her). I’m a Middle School Science & Computer Science Teacher at Warrensville Heights Middle School in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
What’s your favorite CS experience (e.g. teaching, research, or other experience related to CS)?
My favorite CS experience has always been when I see my students who come to me with no CS experience learn it, enjoy it, and end up with CS majors and careers.
How long have you been involved in the CSTA?
I have been involved with CSTA for eight years.
What motivates you to be involved with CSTA?
What motivates me to be involved in CSTA is the continued need to advocate for equal and equitable CS opportunities for students and even educators from underrepresented groups.
What have you learned that’s most interesting to you either about the CSTA or K-12 CS Education?
What I have learned about CSTA and K-12 CS Education that interests me most is the importance of creating policy. This includes speaking with political leaders at all levels.
What do you hope for CS education in the future? How do you believe CSTA will help in achieving this?
My hope for computer science education is to incorporate and support parents in advocating for equitable computer science opportunities for their children. Through my years as a teacher, I have noticed that parents, especially those from educational and economically disadvantaged communities, do not understand what computer science is. Once they learn what computer science education is and its value, they begin to want their children exposed to it.
What else would you like to add that might be interesting to readers about you, your commitment to CSTA, or perhaps why others should also be interested in becoming involved?
For the 2022-2023 school year, I was an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. I was placed in the U.S. Senate in the office of Senator Jacky Rosen. Together, we created and introduced the Women of Color in Tech Day Resolution. This resolution designates March 24th as the day in which we honor all of the women of color who made contributions to all technology fields.