CSTA Equity Fellowship

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Leah Aiwohi (She/Her)

Leah Aiwohi has been a public school teacher in Hawaii throughout her 34-year career as an educator. Having taught at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels, Leah has come to realize that educators need to be flexible, attune to trends in student interests, and supportive of all students. She currently teaches media production, computer science and STEM education. Continually striving to keep up with the ever-changing tapestry of education, Leah has been involved in media, CS and STEM at the state and national levels. A Code.org CS Leaders Award recipient in 2022-2023 as well as recently joining the first cohort of Amazon Future Engineers Teacher Ambassadors, Leah has also been a PBS All-Star Digital Innovator.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Lisa Moe (She/Her)

Lisa Moe teaches 6th Grade in Corona-Norco Unified School District and is known on Social Media as @MissMoeTeaches. She was named the 2020 Edwin Carr recipient in Educational Technology through California State University, Fullerton and the 2021 IACUE Blended and Online Educator of the Year. In 2022, she was featured on CBS Mission: Unstoppable as a leading female in STEM. She currently serves on the Inland Area CUE board and hopes to continue to make a positive and significant impact in the world of STEAM, CS, and Educational Technology.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Marisa Laks (She/Her)

Marisa Laks, is a computer science teacher, programmer, and Girls Who Code club facilitator at the High School for Environmental Studies in New York City. She has been teaching for 19 years overall, with 4 years of computer science experience. In June 2022, she received an Advanced Certificate in Computer Science Education from CUNY Hunter College. This past summer, Marisa facilitated training for CS teachers participating in NYCDOE CS4All professional development. She received an Equity Grant for a data science unit on voter suppression and presented at the Ready For Revolution conference in 2022. Marisa has visited Guatemala 4 times to work with teachers through the organization Mathkind. Based on her experiences there, she has developed a project where students learn about and write code to recreate the patterns of Guatemalan textiles. She is passionate about CS and believes all students should have access to quality CS education.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Matthew Alonzo (He/Him)

Matt Alonzo is a computer science teacher in St. Louis, Missouri, who has been teaching at Parkway North High School since 2003. In 2009, he was tasked with teaching the sole computer science class within the math department. Through this experience, Matt discovered that the computational thinking practices used in computer science education are crucial for all students, yet not all students had access to this class. In an endeavor to eliminate the barriers hindering students from learning computer science, Matt has expanded the CS program to encompass four CS courses, initiated a Computer Science Honors Society, coordinated and executed a computer science mini-conference to provide every student in the school with an opportunity to participate in a CS activity, and has contributed to the growth of CS programs in the district’s other three high schools. Additionally, Matt serves as a facilitator for code.org in their CSA and CSP curriculum.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Michaela De Guzman (She/Her)

Michaela De Guzman is currently entering her third year as a Curriculum Developer for Girls Who Code. She began her career teaching coding to K-6 in Title I schools for two years where she fell in love with Computer Science Education. Ever since, she has remained committed to students feeling empowered through problem solving and expressing themselves through code. In her time at Girls Who Code, she has co-developed Cybersecurity and Data Science courses focused on social justice, along with activities around creative computing and machine learning. She is dedicated to elevating student voices in the tech space, especially those in historically underrepresented groups such as BIPOC and women. Her dream is for every student to feel empowered to shape our technologies to create more inclusive and equitable designs and therefore a more inclusive, equitable world.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Michelle Meier (She/Her)

Michelle Meier is a Computer Science Consultant in Waterloo Iowa. Through her work at Central Rivers Area Education Agency, Michelle strives to improve equitable access to quality computer science learning opportunities by working with multiple school districts in the state. This work includes providing assistance in creating and implementing computer science plans, creating and facilitating professional learning and coaching teachers to help them better understand student standards and best practices in computer science education. She expands with with the statewide AEA computer science team as well as the state ECEP group to expand this work and help ensure that quality education is accessible statewide. In addition, Michelle is also involved in a partnership between the AEAs and the University of Northern Iowa to help teachers earn their computer science teaching endorsements.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Michelle Pierce (She/Her)

Michelle is in her 5th year of teaching Middle School Computer Science at Mallard Creek STEM Academy in Charlotte, NC, where she was named the 2022-2023 Middle School Teacher of the Year. She also teaches Digital Citizenship lessons to all of the K-8 students at the school. Michelle previously taught elementary school for 3 years. In addition to teaching, she also serves as a Girls Who Code facilitator, Team Lead, and mentor. In 2023, Michelle received the CS Teaching Excellence Award. In 2021, she was recognized as an Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year and is currently serving as an Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador. Michelle is passionate about exposing students from underrepresented populations to all of the opportunities that Computer Science has to offer. She is supported in her endeavors by her husband, Michael, and her two children.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Rudy Escobar (He/Him)

Rudy Escobar, a STEM and Computer Science Coordinator, and Micro:bit Champion, holds a (M.Ed.) focused in STEAM. With expertise in PreK-12 computer science, science, coding, robotics, engineering, project-based learning, and flipped teaching, he is proficient in creating engaging learning experiences. Rudy serves as the CSTA Sacramento Technology Manager and CCCUE Communications Manager for the respective boards, actively contributing to CSforCA, SCALE CA, AIforCA, and NGSS Collaborative. His role as a micro:bit Champion and integration in science highlights his dedication to promoting innovative technology education. His leadership extends nationally and statewide as a CSTA Board at Large representative, CSTA policy committee Liaison, CASE Region 1 director, and CASE Advocacy Committee Co-chair.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Sofía De Jesús (She/Her)

Sofía De Jesús is the author of Applied Computational Thinking with Python (2nd edition due out 2023), 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 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.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Sofía De Jesús (She/Her)

Sofía De Jesús is the author of Applied Computational Thinking with Python (2nd edition due out 2023), 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 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.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 5

Victor Hicks (He/Him)

Victor “Coach” Hicks, a luminary based in Atlanta, Georgia, is the distinguished founder of Coding with Culture. Committed to establishing a “Kindergarten through HBCU” pathway in computational and design thinking, Coach Hicks is a fervent advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Through innovative programs in Computer Science/STEM, tailored Professional Development for Teachers, and impactful partnerships, he empowers the next generation. Coach Hicks’ mission is underscored by a dedication to culturally responsive and sustainable pedagogy, revolutionizing STEM education. His accomplishments include recognition in Forbes Magazine and presentations at prominent international and national level ed tech conferences, solidifying his influence in the field.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Allen Antoine (He/Him)

Allen Antoine, M.Ed. is Director of Computer Science Education Strategy for EPIC (Expanding Pathways in Computing) at UT Austin’s Texas Advanced Computing Center where he provides leadership in CS education to manage rapidly expanding DEI initiatives and represents EPIC programs at a state and national level. He serves as the Project Director for the Computer Educator Diversity Initiative (CEDI), where he trains educators in equitable teaching practices while preparing them to teach computer science with diversity in mind. He regularly gives keynote presentations, consults, and leads workshops, covering a wide variety of STEM, DEI, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Inquiry-Based Learning, and CS topics. Allen was an Equity Fellow for the Computer Science Teachers Association in 2022-23.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Andrea Wilson Vazquez (She/Her)

Andrea Wilson Vazquez, MA.ESL. is the Deputy Director of the Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance, a national project out of the University of Texas at Austin designed to support state teams to broaden participation in computing through equity-centered policies, practices and pathways. She is a 2022-2023 Computer Science Teaching Association Equity Fellow, a partner on the NSF Coaching for Equity project, and course facilitator on the Strategies for Effective and Inclusive CS Pedagogy Course with UT Austin. Andrea was formerly an innovative instructional coach, makerEd and Computer science educator, teacher of English learners.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Angela Chavez (She/Her)

Angela Chavez is a teacher at LAUSD’s Computer Science Virtual Academy – the first of its kind in her district! She is a student advocate who believes that quality education begins with a strong understanding of how children learn and application of student-centered practices. This also means being transformative in the classroom and responsive to student needs. Hence her journey into computer science education and the need to bridge the divide for underrepresented populations within her community. Code.org was her beginning, with continued professional development through the Infosys Pathfinders Institute and currently LAUSD’s inaugural CS Cadre. She serves as a Girls Who Code Club facilitator, instilling a love of CS and empowering her students to become the next CS leaders as they continue on their educational pathway. She was a 2020 California finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and 2021 LAUSD Teacher of the Year.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Candyce Monroe (She/Her)

Candyce Monroe is an educator that believes in the transformative power of creativity and innovation in the classroom. Throughout her career she has worked to provide computer science, engineering and math based learning experiences for her students. Candyce started her educational career as a science teacher in a high-needs, low income district in Birmingham Alabama. Candyce was instrumental in the creation of a computer science program within her former school district. Her drive to improve the quality of life for students led her to write and secure over $50,000 in grants to support the launch of a makerspace for STEM education and to further fund the computer science program. Candyce currently holds the position of Director of Learning at Ed Farm. In this role she supports educators and students through the development of learning experiences and instructional technology practices infused with creativity and innovation.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Darlene Bowman (She/Her)

Darlene Bowman, Founder of AusomeTech.com, is a highly trained and specialized teacher of young adults with Autism and other cognitive learning differences. She began her career as a NYC Teaching Fellow in the early 2000’s, and is also an adjunct Writing Professor at the College Of Staten Island. In 2015, Darlene earned a $75K technology grant through CS4ALL, enabling her school to start the first Software Engineering Program in a District 75 High School for students with Autism. This was life changing for her students, and opened doors to opportunities that they never knew existed for them. Darlene has taught CS to hundreds of students with disabilities – and their teachers, before and during the pandemic. Now retired, Darlene serves as the current President of CSTA Staten Island Chapter. She also volunteers her time teaching Computer Science to students of all ages through her organization AusomeTech, focusing specifically on her graduates – “Techies With Autism” who no longer have access to meaningful CS education.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Delmar Wilson (He/Him)

Delmar Wilson has been a public school educator for seventeen years, where he has taught mathematics, AP Computer Science Principles, and Cambridge Thinking Skills at Miami Springs Senior High. Aside from being a teacher, Delmar is also the Mathematics Department Chair, ESSAC Chairperson, Union Steward, and Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach. As he began working on his doctorate degree in 2013, he came to the realization that there weren’t enough minorities in computer science. He created a course called AP Computer Science Principles and initially recruited his ninth graders; none had ever dreamed of taking an AP course or even computer science. Over the years, this course has become a student favorite and last school year he started the Computer Science National Honor Society. One of Delmar’s all time favorite quotes is “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” by John Dewey. Delmar believes as teachers of the 21st century, we have a commitment to ensure that we are effectively teaching our students to prepare them to be future leaders. As a veteran teacher, Delmar continues to push CS forward by utilizing his CS Honor Society to expose students to Computer Science during Computer Science Week.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Dr. Michelle-Noelle Magallanez (She/Her)

Dr. Michelle Magallanez is the Head of Special Projects at AVID, a national educational nonprofit that aims to close the opportunity gap for all students by helping them build the skills they need to be future ready. Michelle works to bring computer science skills to every student, not just those who happen to attend schools with CS pathways. To achieve this, Michelle and her team helps K—12 teachers integrate computational thinking and computing skills into core content areas.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Dr. Timothy Swick (He/Him)

Dr. Tim Swick is the lead teacher of the Computer Science Immersion School at Sandlapper Elementary in Columbia, South Carolina with the mission of bringing CS to ALL students. His work developing a school-wide integrated computer science curriculum was recognized by Magnet Schools of America Association as the 2022 Top New and Emerging Magnet School in America. He is National Board Certified, and holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction.. He was selected as a winner of the 2022 CSTA/Infosys Foundation CS Teaching Excellence Awards, and was a 2022-2023 CSTA Equity Fellow.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Elizabeth Kimball (She/Her)

Beth Kimball is a MS STEM teacher at Indiana School for the Deaf. Deaf since the age of 24, she learned ASL and hasn’t looked back. Currently she is also a bike mechanic at REI. Beth is ALWAYS reading a book (or 4) and is obsessed with her two small dogs.

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CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 4

Jasper Gunn (They/Them)

Jasper Gunn works as the Instructional Design Lead in the curriculum department of CodeVA, a Virginia CS ed nonprofit, where they have developed computer science curriculum across grade levels, supported professional learning, and taught out-of-school time experiences. They are also a member of the Scratch Education Collaborative. Before joining CodeVA full-time, Jasper taught for 5+ years at preschool and K-8 levels at a Reggio-Emelia inspired school, where they learned the importance of wonder, play, and exploration in supporting the growth of the whole child. Jasper graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Critical Technology Studies. They are a proud member of the LGBTQ+ and disability communities with a strong belief in intersectional feminism and anti-racism. In their free time, Jasper maintains their urban homestead with a garden and chickens, swims at the river, writes poetry, helps out in the neighborhood food forest, and plays ample video games.