The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) is excited to announce the 15 participants of the 2024–25 Equity Fellowship. The CSTA Equity Fellowship is made possible in partnership with Microsoft and Google. 

These 15 fellows have demonstrated success in disrupting inequities in K-12 computer science and want to improve equitable access and achievement at a broader scale. These fellows were selected from 70 applicants and represent 13 states. Sixty-seven percent of the fellows teach PreK-12 students, and 33 percent train or support teachers. 

This year-long program will provide leadership development opportunities and support them in creating ongoing peer-to-peer professional learning experiences focused on addressing inequity in computer science classrooms for CSTA members. You’ll have the chance to engage with their work at the CSTA 2025 Annual Conference, set for July 8-11, 2025, in Cleveland, and during the Equity In Action series in early 2025. Their work will be featured on the CSTA website, and you’ll get to learn more about these fellows via CSTA’s The Voice. 

Meet the CSTA Equity Fellow Teacher Cohort: 

  • Shilpa Agrawal, 9–12 CS Teacher & Department Chair at Comp Sci High (Bronx, NY) 
  • Raymond Anacaya, PK–5 Teacher at Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School (Olanta, SC) 
  • Renatae Burton, 6–8 Teacher at Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence (Georgetown, DE) 
  • Mark Godinez, 9–12 CS Teacher at South Dade Senior High School (Homestead, FL) 
  • Chala Hannon, 6–12 CS Teacher at Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences (Detroit, MI) 
  • April Pelfrey, 9–12 CS Teacher at Innovation Academy – Fulton County Schools (Alpharetta, GA) 
  • Neil Plotnick, 9–12 Teacher at Everett Public Schools (Everett, MA) 
  • Tess Ramsey, 5–8 CS Teacher at Speyer Legacy School (New York, NY) 
  • Roza Shaimurat, 9–12 CS Teacher at LISA Academy North Middle High School (North Little Rock, AR) 
  • Jade Solomon, 6–8 CS Teacher at Everett Middle School – SFUSD (San Francisco, CA) 

Meet the CSTA Equity Fellow CS Allies Cohort: 

  • Keya Belt Robinson, STEM Design Manager at the National Math and Science Initiative (Houston, TX) 
  • Dr. 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)

“This cohort has already demonstrated an incredible commitment toward social justice and supporting equitable access in computer science education,” said Jake Baskin, Executive Director of CSTA. “Thanks to the support of our partners Microsoft and Google, these leaders will design and implement projects to be shared with computer science professionals across the globe.” 

For additional information about the Equity Fellowship Program, visit csteachers.org/equity.