CSTA Equity Fellowship

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 3

Sandra Hartman (She/Her)

Sandra Hartman is entering her 16th year teaching. As a Korean American Sandra recognizes the need for more females of color in the STEM fields and hopes to use her experience to push female students towards STEM fields. She’s currently the Computer Technology and Media Design teacher with the East Stroudsburg Area School District. In addition to teaching Computer Science and Media Design Sandra also does some Technology Integration with other teachers in her school. Additionally, Sandra advises after school clubs like Student Council, and the Media and Design Competition as well as oversees the Morning Announcements Broadcast, The Lehman Today Show. Sandra graduated from Marywood University with a B.S. in Accounting, and an MAT, in Secondary Education. Sandra also holds a Post Bac Certification in Family and Consumer Sciences, and a NJ State Supervisor Certification. Currently, Sandra is working on a M.Ed in Instructional Technology at East Stroudsburg University. Sandra is also the mother of two College Seniors. Outside of work Sandra enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her cricut machine and her family.

Learn About Sandra

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 3

Shawn Patrick Higgins (He/Him)

Shawn Patrick Higgins is a coding and media arts teacher at Parkrose Middle School in Portland, Oregon. He’s worked with youth in creative technology for fourteen years and in the classroom teaching computer science for nine, specializing in project-based curriculum that fuses digital design, animation, audio, social and games as a creative pathway to student success! His honors include the Best Buy Foundation’s Inspired Teaching Award in 2015, the CenturyLink Clarke M William Foundation’s Teacher and Technology award in 2016, the Paul Allen Distinguished Educator award in 2016, Oregon’s PBS Digital Innovator of the Year in 2017, PBS’s National Digital Innovator All-Star Teacher in 2018, and his selection as a Processing Foundation Teaching Fellow in 2021.

Learn About Shawn Patrick

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 3

Vanessa Jones (She/Her)

Vanessa Jones is a Technology Design Specialist for the Austin Independent School District in Austin, Texas where she works at the district level helping to implement and facilitate blended and personalized technology integrated learning experiences. She is a facilitator for Code.org’s CS Fundamentals and CS Discoveries programs and has trained hundreds of teachers in the basics of computer science. Ms. Jones is an online facilitator and course designer for the University of Texas at Austin’s Strategies for Effective and Inclusive Computer Science Teaching (SciPs) course. She is currently helping with the redesign of this course. Ms. Jones is a CS for All Teachers Ambassador where she co-facilitates a new CS Equity and Access Group for CS for All Teachers. She is a peer reviewer for the Education Innovation and Research Group. She is also a member of the 100Kin10 Project Team. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, earned her master’s degree from North Texas University in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on instructional technology, and received her teacher certification from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

Learn About Vanessa

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Deb Harding (She/Her)

Deb Harding is a middle school computer science teacher at STEM Launch in Thornton, CO. She began her career in 1988 as a math teacher and established a computer lab for students to explore computer science. In 1999, she joined the business world to work in the CS field. After experiencing the lack of diversity in the field, she returned to the classroom seeking to inspire students not represented in the CS field to consider it as a career choice. She published a related article in Ed Week, “Time Out of the Classroom Made Me a Better STEM Teacher.” Deb established the Family MakerSpace to help reduce the digital divide and has received $40,000 in grants over the last few years. She is proud of the amazing solutions that her students are developing. In 2019, two of her middle school teams earned first and third place in the Congressional App Challenge for creating their Safe Space and Immigration apps.

Learn About Deb

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Dr. Dominick Sanders (He/Him)

Dominick is a trailblazer and passionate advocate for breaking down barriers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. He recently assumed the role of the first Chief Product and Program Officer at Code Nation, where he leads the charge in creating innovative programs and products to empower students in the field of STEM.

Dominick has accumulated an impressive list of achievements and affiliations throughout his career. He is a distinguished Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated member and has participated in the Computer Science Teachers Association’s Equity Fellowship. In 2020, he was honored as a BlackTech Ecosystem Builder Fellow. Additionally, Dominick has dedicated six consecutive years to regional and national leadership within the pre-college sector of the National Society of Black Engineers, showcasing his commitment to empowering future generations.

Guided by the principle of servant leadership, Dominick’s work has had a profound impact. Previously, he served as the Computer Science Supervisor for the South Carolina Department of Education, becoming the first individual in the state to hold this position. In this influential role, he spearheaded k-12 computer science education initiatives and facilitated professional development opportunities statewide. South Carolina, recognized as a national leader in computer science education, boasts the highest rate (21%) of students enrolled in basic computer science courses and the second-highest percentage (93%) of high schools offering computer science coursework in the United States.

Passionate about expanding access and promoting diversity in computer science, Dominick initiated a groundbreaking barbershop computing initiative in South Carolina. This unique approach integrates coding hair designs into barbershop classes, fostering career and technical education opportunities for African-American students. The success of this initiative has garnered attention, with a feature on an NCWIT webinar and a manuscript titled “Imagining Educational Pathways, Villages, and Networks with Barbershop Computing,” published in the Communications of ACM.

Dominick’s pursuit of excellence extends beyond his professional endeavors. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University, further deepening his expertise in the field. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Jackson State University and a Master’s degree in Education from Relay Graduate School for Education, solidifying his academic foundation.

With his unwavering dedication and groundbreaking initiatives, Dominick continues to drive positive change and inspire future generations to pursue their passions in STEM education.

Learn About Dr. Sanders

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Dr. John Underwood (He/Him)

Dr. John Underwood is currently an Instructional Specialist of STEM Programs in East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools. He has taught middle and high school since 2003 and helped to create a research partnership to develop statewide STEM CS pathways for 7-12 students in Louisiana. John is also working to establish rigorous and high-quality professional development to help novice K-12 teachers gain content and pedagogical CS knowledge. John has aided in developing Louisiana’s first Career Technical Education pathway for computer science. He is working with an NSF and EIR grant to make a 7-12 course pathway accessible to all schools in his state.

Learn About Dr. Underwood

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Eboni Akpan Zook (She/Her)

Eboni Akpan Zook teaches Computer Science and Technology and facilitates a Girls Who Code Club at the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLSYW), an all-girls public charter school in Baltimore City, Maryland. Eboni is passionate about increasing STEM learning opportunities for young women of color and students from under-resourced communities. Eboni is entering her ninth year as an educator and recently partnered with the Maryland Center for Computing Education (MCCE) to create a unit of Early Childhood Computer Science curriculum integrated with Next Generation Science Standards. As a Code.org CS Fundamentals Facilitator, Eboni has trained hundreds of elementary school teachers in CS curriculum.

Learn About Eboni

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Elizabeth Naameh (She/Her)

Elizabeth Naameh teaches high school math and computer science, with a focus on equity and engagement. She founded the AP Computer Science program at USC Hybrid High and lectures at UCLA through the AP Readiness Program, which brings high-quality AP instruction to students and professional development for teachers throughout Los Angeles. Elizabeth is a committed advocate for girls and students of color in STEM, working to expand notions of “who” does CS. She has received training through AP CS 50, Code.org, and TEALS. Her accomplishments this year include competing in a triathlon, raising a kitten, starting a book club among friends, and not over-watering her succulents.

Learn About Elizabeth

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Eric Foster (He/Him)

Eric Foster is in his second year of teaching computer science at George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, New York. He prides himself on connecting computer science concepts to cultural references without pandering. His journey to becoming an educator started in 2016 when he left the industry to teach computer science to underserved communities. He has worked with CodeNation, Girls Who Code, All Star Code, and is a supporter of many more. Prior to teaching, Eric worked in digital publishing as a developer and technical project manager for over a decade.

Learn About Eric

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Laura Ramirez (She/Her)

Laura Ramirez is National Board Certified and is the Tech Integration Specialist at a Spanish bilingual K-8 school in the Mission district of San Francisco. Having seen how hesitant her students (girls and BIPOC) struggled to coexist with technology and computer science concepts, she created a space where girls and gender-expansive students were comfortable taking risks to solve problems. The Tech Chicas/Chicxs group was born and an army of young girls resurrected to fix the school’s tech issues and learn growth mindset skills. When not teaching, Laura is a member of G.A.N.A (Grupo para el avance de niñas y aliadxs) and La Colectiva, a group of fierce teachers who plan, collaborate, and facilitate activities to girls and nonbinary students to dismantle the microcosms of patriarchy in schools. She is a member of the SF Film Inclusion Advisory Board to improve the Board of Directors’ cultural competency skills, diversity, and refine strategy for providing filmmakers programs, and educational outreach.

Learn About Laura

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Leon Tynes (He/Him)

Leon Tynes teaches technology and computer science to K-8 students at the Academy of Math and Sciences – Desert Sky charter school in Phoenix, Arizona. He is working to transform STEM education within the diverse community that he serves through student participation in STEM challenges, student innovation, and scientific advocacy. Leon has secured a number of STEM grants to support his recent efforts such as Infymakers, McCarthey Dressman, and Verizon Innovative Learning. He was also an AP CSP reader for the past four years. His accolades awards include 2016 Henry Ford Teacher Innovator award, 2016 PBS Digital Innovator, 2017 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow (Galapagos), 2017 ISTE Technology in Action award, 2018 Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellow (Morocco), 2018 ISTE Outstanding Teacher, 2019 Jacobs Educator award, 2019-20 CS for All Teachers Ambassador, 2019 CS for All Teachers Ambassador & 2019 CSTA/Infosys Honorable Mention for Teaching Excellence.

Learn About Leon

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Lilibeth Mora (She/Her)

Lilibeth teaching philosophy is that all students can learn and she will do everything in her power to create a positive learning environment that is conducive to collaborative learning and creative problem-solving. Lilibeth became a chapter leader for CSTA Sacramento and discovered a new passion in education–ensuring that all students have the opportunity to take a computer science course in high school and to change the demographics of who’s making programs, software, and artificial intelligence that is changing the way we live. Until the people in those positions match the people who they were intended for, people of all diversity, she will not stop.

Learn About Lilibeth

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Mayné González Osorio (She/Her)

Mayné González Osorio is the founder and former president of the CSTA Puerto Rico Chapter from 2017-2019 and is currently serving as Relations Manager. She has worked as a technology teacher at Jose E. Aponte De La Torre School. She has participated in various events promoting the advancement of CS in Puerto Rico, including the first PD of Mobile CSP in Puerto Rico in 2019 and Exploring Computer Science. Mayné has provided CS workshops to teachers and students through CSTA Puerto Rico and has collaborated in the creation of a CS curriculum with the University of PR and the Department of Education. Her passion and commitment to computer science have allowed her to partner with other entities outside of Puerto Rico. She recently participated in an online event known as Codifi-K, which emerged from the collaboration with Televisa Foundation, Infosys, and Cuantrix, which was focused on providing programming experiences to Spanish-speaking families.

Learn About Mayné

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Megan Bowen (She/Her)

Megan Bowen, a proud Mexican-American, has been an Educational Technology Specialist for ten years. She’s currently the Technology Coordinator and Integration Specialist while also teaching AP Computer Science, Digital Citizenship, Film and Video, and 3D Design at Salem Academy Charter School in Salem, Massachusetts. She also advises after school clubs like Makerspace, Robotics, and S.A.G.A (Sexuality and Gender Alliance). Megan graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.A. in English and sociology, and an M.Ed. in educational technology.As a member of the queer community, Megan was accepted into the 2015 White House LGBTQ Tech and Innovation Summit to collaborate in identifying technology and computer science needs as they relate to the LGBTQ community.

Learn About Megan

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Richard Winn (He/Him)

James Winn is a library/media specialist at Wyoming Indian High School in Ethete, Wyoming. His second life began in a Code.org Fundamentals training where he learned that less than 1% of college grads come from the Native American population. This is an untapped resource for America. With this passion for representing his Native heritage, James earned his teaching certificate. Being able to share, inspire, and educate students about the opportunities in CS is now a lifelong pursuit. Through CS, all students everywhere and from every background have the ability to compete on a world stage and come to understand how important they are.

Learn About Richard

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Sarah Ciras (She/Her)

Sarah Ciras works with AccessCSForAll in a research practitioner partnership on the National Science Foundation grant, AccessCSforAll: Including Students with Disabilities in High School Computer Science. As part of this grant, she is helping to facilitate a week-long professional development program for educators. She has spoken at SIGCSE, the CSTA Annual Conference, and the College Board Forum. She has also provided accessibility input on Code.org’s CSP curriculum and to the AP Instructional Design team at The College Board on Computer Science Principles.

Learn About Sarah

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Shaina Glass (She/Her)

Shaina develops, supports, and implements programs and professional learning experiences for computer science educators, CSTA members, and Chapter Leaders aligned with the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers.

Prior to joining CSTA, Shaina worked in education for 20 years, educating all learners — students and teachers alike. As technology applications and STEM program director for Aldine Independent School District in Texas, she worked to expand equitable access to STEM, technology, and computer science instruction to over 65,000 PreK–12 students. She also serves as a board member of CSforTX, Texas’s Computer Science Advocacy Coalition, the Texas ECEP State Team and the past-president of CSTA Greater Houston. 

In her free time, Shaina enjoys yoga,  painting, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Learn About Shaina

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 2

Shiela Lee (She/Her)

Shiela Lee is a special education teacher entering her 10th year of teaching. After spending a year teaching in Taiwan on a Fulbright Fellowship, she spent the next 8 years integrating computer science into her second-grade classroom in New York City. This upcoming year, she is the STEM teacher and is excited to help her students see their identities in the field of CS. Shiela is also a self-taught coder who has coded tools for teachers to use in their classroom, including a tool for stations teaching and an interactive hundreds chart to see mathematical patterns. She is committed to creating curriculum that is anti-racist and empowering her students to challenge stereotypes. Shiela is a Math for America Master Teacher Fellow and an Upperline Code Teaching Fellow. She holds a B.A. in philosophy from Grinnell College and a M.A. in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Learn About Shiela

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 1

Charity Freeman (She/Her)

Charity E. Freeman (she/her) is the Associate Director of Teacher Training at Discovery Partners Institute, a research hub of the University of Illinois System, where she focuses on building teacher capacity in CS at the K-12 and community college levels. In her efforts with CSTA’s Board of Directors, Annual Conference Committee, and its inaugural Equity Fellowship cohort, Charity supports equitable access, engagement, and achievement in CS education through education policy and teacher preparation. “CS For All means that any learner can envision a programmer, analyst, or gamer, and see themselves.”

Learn About Charity

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 1

Cindy Wong (She/Her)

Cindy Wong is an elementary technology teacher at P.S.41 The Crocheron School in Bayside, New York. She has taught over twelve years, with the first nine years in third grade. She is a tech enthusiast and loves testing out new tools with her students in her computer lab. She holds Ed Tech certifications in Google Education Level 1 and 2, and is a Google Certified Trainer and Innovator. She is also part of the #NYCSchoolsTech Trainer Team and presented at the past four #NYCSchoolsTech Tech Summit, ISTE 2019, and CS4All TeachersCon. She was also a Community Builder Fellow for CS4All, one of the Chancellor’s Equity and Excellence Initiatives, to spread the culture of computer science to teachers, parents, and students.

Learn About Cindy

CSTA Equity Fellow, Cohort 1

Dr. Abigail Joseph (She/Her)

Dr. Abigail Joseph (she/her) has an extensive career as an educator in the California Bay Area as a teacher, coach, facilitator, and speaker. In 2022, she delivered a TEDx talk titled, Ubuntu Innovation: A Beacon for Humanity. Abigail currently works as an Instructor for the Oracle Education Foundation designing design challenge experiences for high school students that integrate design thinking, futures thinking, and emerging technologies. She is a CSTA Equity Fellow Alum and serves on the Board of Directors for CSTA and Maker Nexus, a local Silicon Valley community makerspace. Beyond teaching, making, and the arts, her current passion as an innovation coach is helping adults discover everyday innovation. She recently launched The Innovation Doctor (heyinnovationdoctor.com), where she helps professionals spark an affair with creativity in and out of the workplace. She inspires and empowers communities to use innovation to design and live connected lives filled with play, joy, and wonder. She enjoys innovating the possibilities of tomorrow with her husband in California.

Learn About Dr. Joseph