For two decades, the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) has been at the forefront of computer science education. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary with the theme “Looking Back, Leaping Forward,” our members reflect on a transformative journey of empowering educators and inspiring students. This retrospective captures stories from CSTA members Julie York (she/her), Eugene Lemon (he/him), Frank A. Hulsman (he/him), Floria Mathis (she/her), and Nataliya Self (she/her).
Responses have been edited for clarity.
How has being a member of CSTA helped your growth as a CS teacher?
JY: Since I joined in 2016, it has provided me with resources, community, and strength. It has helped me really develop as a leader, a community member, and a teacher!
EL: Prior to becoming a member of CSTA in 2004, I considered myself to be a “computer teacher.” Then, my membership with the CSTA had me realize that I was a computer science teacher.
FH: It wasn’t until I became a CSTA member in 2008 that I found out what I could/should be teaching. Becoming a CSTA member, I learned about Robotics Academy, which I attended at Carnegie Mellon. That led to me starting to teach robotics at my high school as a prep course for AP CSA. Later, as a CSTA member, I learned about the new course proposed by the college board, AP CSP. I applied, and our school and I were accepted as a pilot school for AP CSP. I met the other teachers piloting AP CSP from all over the U.S. Through the AP CSP pilot program, I started attending CSTA conferences, AP Conferences, and ISTE conferences. Also, as the course went live, I started teaching for the college board, AP CSP teacher prep, all over the U.S. CSTA was the springboard to the best teaching position in the world for me.
FM: I’ve been a member since 2017, I think. It keeps me current! Technology changes so quickly, instruction can become irrelevant at the very least!
NS: I’ve been a member since 2023. I greatly appreciate valuable resources, receiving answers on my questions.
How have you seen CSTA change over time in big and small ways since you became a member?
JY: When we started in Maine I did not expect as amazing an organization it’s becoming today! I’ve gone from knowing local people to knowing people literally around the world. The CSTA network has grown amazingly!
EL: I’ve been a member since the beginning. Along with Emmanuel Onyeador, I established the Golden Gate Chapter in 2010. I remember when the CSTA discussed celebrating Grace Hopper’s birthday the first weekend in December which sort of morphed into an Hour of Code, then Rep. Polis (now governor of Colorado) introduced and passed the CSEdWeek Bill which we now celebrate in December.
FH: I’ve seen the growth of local chapters. I helped start a local chapter in my hometown, Louisville, Kentucky. It was very helpful to meet other CS teachers in my state. I’ve been retired from teaching for seven years now. So, I have not seen much of CSTA since retirement.
FM: Definitely! PD becomes available very quickly as technology advances!
NS: More participants, quality of participants increased.
How does it make you feel to be a member of the world’s largest CS department? What do you feel like you have access to now that you didn’t before? How has this community supported you?
JY: I can’t even begin to explain how much more access to PD and support I have. The Equity Fellowship literally changed the course of my career. I have a much broader view of how to better teach my students, a much firmer plan for amplifying my voice, and a lot more agency in my state and country. I feel like I can be a part of the change, and now am involved in a lot of conversations and work moving it forward.
EL: Fulfilled!!!!
FH: Knowing other CS teachers, CS teacher development opportunities, reading the CSTA newsletter all gave me insight and inspiration.
FM: Professional Associations done right elevate not only the knowledge and experience of its members, it also enhances their credentials! CSTA is a professional association that more than does it right!
NS: Every experience is unique and valuable, I cherish a variety of resources, techniques CS teachers can share with each other. It is awesome to talk to like-minded people.
How do you feel that CSTA has helped you lead beyond the classroom?
JY: I got to go to the White House because of CSTA! I get to work with teachers throughout the country and the world thanks to CSTA! I’m valued and can learn from so many other amazing professionals thanks, so much, to CSTA.
EL: I was a member of the Computer Science Advocacy Leadership Team (CSALT) that was tasked with advocating for CS education at school board meetings and other local community organizations. I was able to assist Cameron Wilson and Hadi and Ali Partovi in getting Oakland Unified School District to accept the Code.org collaboration.
Chris Stephenson recommended me to be on the College Board committee along with Amy Briggs, one of the two Principal Investigators for the NSF supported effort to implement the new AP Computer Science Principles course.
I worked with Professors Dan Garcia and Brian Harvey during the Pilot of their Principles course during its development.
FH: I felt like after being accepted as a pilot teacher for AP CSP, that I was a leader in CS education. That led me to lead College Board sessions, student AP Exam study sessions for NMSI, and for Gina McCurdy and for teachers and students in the state of Alabama. Through these experiences I’ve gained a lot of confidence, before now being retired.
FM: I’m confident about my knowledge.
NS: I promote CS values, technology growth and people involvement outside of the classroom.
How have you seen or heard about other CSTA members creating an impact on a broader scale?
JY: Yes! In almost all the work I’m in I see other fellow CSTA members. For example: NEA task force work on AI, there were other CSTA members involved! CSTA White House trip about AI? CSTA members!
EL: Yes. I’d like to speak up for a group of women that had a major impact upon the success that the CSTA has experienced over the years; Chris Stephenson, the founding CSTA Executive Director, Jan Cuny of the National Science Foundation who instituted the highly successful CS10K Initiative, Jane Margolis, Joanna Goode and Gail Chapman’s work with developing the Exploring Computer Science (ECS) curriculum, Lien Diaz the College Board, and Amy Briggs AP Computer Science Principles Principle Investigator (along with Owen).
FH: Not recently, been retired for seven years.
FM: Yes! Our monthly meetings allow us to see how others are using the resources available.
NS: [I have seen impact in] meetings, talking, emails, and news sharing.
What is your favorite CSTA memory?
JY: Going to Chicago and going out to the LGBTQ meetup at Lips with another Maine chapter member. Or any of the in person CSTA Equity Fellowship meetings — literally. All of them were amazing and taught me so much. Doing CSTA interviews, seeing the CSTA booth when I was in Phoenix for another conference. Seeing friendly faces and knowing people who cared about the things I care about. The network!
EL: I had the opportunity to attend a week-long workshop facilitated by Randy Pausch and his Alice Team just before his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. It was Randy’s way of teaching that inspired me to venture out and try to get other teachers to use his Alice Programming Language Platform. My association with the Alice Team led to me being selected by EA Sports as a Randy Pausch Fellow with the Teach With Africa organization.
FH: Learning about AP CSP pilot, through CSTA. I applied to be a part of it, was accepted and it changed my life.
FM: Too many to select just one!
NS: The AP CSA workshop at TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.