CSTA IMPACT Fellowship

CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 4

Maria Camarena (She/Her)

Maria Camarena is a computer science teacher at Maywood Center for Enriched Studies. Her mission is to advocate for computer science opportunities in her community. In five years, she has established a computer science pathway offering CS to all 7th graders and multiple high school CS classes, including APCSP, APCSA and Data Science. Maria is a strong advocate for girls in STEM. She significantly increased the enrollment of girls in CS courses through the founding of the MaCES Girls Who Code Club and the Computer Science Honor Society, the only in her local district. Maria also believes in connecting students with professionals of Hispanic/Latinx descent through her partnership with Nuevo Foundation because she understands that “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Her accolades include the 2020 CSTA/Infosys Teaching Excellence award and the 2022 NCWIT National Educator award. You can see a glimpse of her students’ awesomeness and the pursuit to bring computer science to her community on Twitter @csiseverywhere and Instagram @maces.cs, @maces.gwc and @maces_cshs.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 4

Toni Dunlap (She/Her)

Toni Dunlap currently serves as a computer science (CS) educator and the Middle School Service-Learning Representative at Princeton Day School in New Jersey. She has experience teaching CS at the 6th – 12th grade level. Toni – a native of Atlanta, GA – moved to Colorado pursue an undergraduate degree in CS from the University of Denver. During her time in college, Toni recognized she had a passion for working in roles that involve mentorship, lesson planning, community organizing, and exposing others (especially underrepresented communities) to CS/STEAM fields. This ultimately led her to pursue a teaching career, which has proven to be a perfect fit – a position that allows her to explore both her love of CS and people.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 4

Tonya Coats (She/Her)

Featured on CBS Mission Unstoppable as a leading female in STEM, ISTE presenter, micro:bit champion, a 2022 CSTA Honorable Mention, 2022-2023 CSTA Equity Fellow, and an IACUE Board Member, a regional affiliate of CUE. Tonya Coats has been a K-6th educator in Southern California for over 20 years. She has a strong passion for computer science and maker-based learning. Her students have participated in numerous educational conferences and student showcases to show educators and their peers what is possible with computer science. Tonya believes exposing her students to computer science at a young age will give them the exposure to build interest and learn how to apply these skills to solving real-world problems. She is a 2022 micro:bit champion, a 2022 CSTA Honorable Mention, and also recently elected to serve as an IACUE Board Member, a regional affiliate of CUE.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Tory Wadlington (He/Him)

Tory Wadlington is in his 5th year as a special education teacher in Southern California. He is a tech enthusiast with a passion for building equity and creating safe spaces for BIPOC students, staff and families. He is a co-founder of Equity in Action CA which has brought teachers and leaders of color together for professional development. As a graduate of Grambling State University, an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) Tory noticed stark differences in student achievement and motivation based on cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This propelled him into many mentorship positions, eventually leading him to get his Master’s degree in Educational Technology, with a credential focusing on Special Education. Tory used computer science to create safe space classrooms, and new ways to engage previously unmotivated students. His heart for special education and Social and Emotional Learning has helped him develop training on engaging and welcoming all students.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 4

Zuo Bin (Zuobin) Tang (He/Him)

Zuobin currently serves as a program manager at NYC Men Teach, which supports the recruitment and retention of male teachers of color in New York City public schools. He is also an adjunct assistant professor of mathematics at NYU.

He taught in the public school system for seven years, most recently as a high school math and computer science (CS) teacher in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to teaching, he served as his school’s CS Lead, planning and organizing CS activities and events. He also served as a grade team leader and an inquiry team leader.

To give back to the teaching field, he served as a coach for Asian American male teachers and as a program ambassador for NYC Men Teach.

Prior to joining the education field, he spent nearly a decade working in multiple community-based organizations serving low-income, immigrant families.

Learn About Zuo Bin

CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Anita Debarlaben (She/Her)

Anita Debarlaben earned a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science. After writing software for over 18 years she changed her career to education. She truly believes that some students need to “see one to be one” so she was determined to reach, teach and encourage as many students as possible to enter STEM careers. She recently joined University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (UCLS) as a high school CS teacher where she teaches AI and Machine Learning and Introduction to Programming. Prior to joining UCLS, she taught Mathematics and Computer Science for over 10 years. Last year Anita earned the AP Computer Science Principles Female Diversity Award for increasing her female enrollment from less than 10% to almost 50%. Anita is also proud to be chosen as a state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teachers (PAEMST) for 2021.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Ashley Ufret (She/Her)

Ashley Ufret, proud of her Puerto Rican heritage was born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y. She identifies as a lifelong learner and scholar. A proud NYC Teaching Fellow alumni, she is now entering her 6th year as an educator at P.S. 375 in Brooklyn, N.Y. A Childhood and Bilingual elementary school teacher, she was introduced to Computer Science as a member of the Department of Education’s CS4ALL Sep Jr. program. Having personally fought to overcome physical and societal barriers to success, and bearing witness to the inequities faced by her students, she quickly embraced the invitation to participate in CS4ALL’s Equity initiative; joining the Ingenuity and Exploring Equity in Computer Science (EECS) teams.
In an effort to advocate for and empower her students, over the past 4 years Ashley Ufret has dedicated her personal time towards professional development in the content and instructional practices of CS and Equity. She finds innovative ways to integrate CS and Equity education within core content areas (math, ELA, SS, Science) taught in grades K-5. Her goal is to bring CS and Equity education to as many students as possible. Now, with over 400 hours of professional learning in CS and Equity, she welcomes any opportunity to share her expertise with other educators in the hope they become inspired to do the same.

Learn About Ashley

CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Carla Neely (She/Her)

Carla Neely is a middle school science and computer science teacher. She has found a way to integrate the two subjects together, resulting in memorable learning experiences for all of her students. She also travels around the world to share with teachers the ways in which to integrate computer science into core subjects. Carla was a member of the 2021-2022 CSTA Equity Fellow Cohort. She is currently a member of CSTA’s Board of Directors as the K-8 Teacher Representative.

Learn About Carla

CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Catherine Medina-DeVilliers (She/Her)

Catherine Medina-DeVilliers is Puerto Rican-American. She holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Fairfield University with minor degrees in Math and Spanish. She is a Nationally Board-certified teacher with an M.S. and Ed.S. from The George Washington University and completing an additional master’s degree in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology.
She has been teaching Mathematics and Computer Science at the secondary level for over twenty years. She has expanded CS programs/courses at many high schools and recognized by the College Board for the growth of young women in CS AP courses. As a military spouse, she has a national perspective on teaching to various groups. Currently, she is teaching Computer Science as a full time Professor at Germanna Community College.
Her husband and high school sweetheart, Dr. Edward DeVilliers own a software development company. She enjoys being with her four beautiful children, grandson, and Pumi, dog Ignacio.

Learn About Catherine

CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Donald Saint-Germain (He/Him)

Donald Saint-Germain is a high school Computer Science and 9-12 English Language Arts in New York City at the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice. Mr. Saint-Germain embarked on his journey into CS via professional developments offered by the NYCDOE CS4ALL team since 2016. Each year he has returned as either a participant or teacher trainer. Mr. Saint-Germain is passionate about incorporating technology into the classroom to improve student’s learning opportunities as he sees this as a vital aspect in preparing his students to be active participants in the 21st Century. Throughout his 5 years teaching CS, he has spent his time and efforts establishing a culture in which teachers and students are engaged academic citizens by using technology to communicate and enhance learning opportunities for all. His vision for delivering CS education focuses on expanding opportunities for each grade level to provide more learning opportunities for students in and outside of the classroom, with several of his CS students being awarded internships. In the past years, Mr. Saint-Germain has been awarded as a Math for America Master Teacher Fellowship, Teach for America CS Fellow, NYCDOE CS4ALL Blueprint Fellow and Ingenuity Team Member, CSforAllTeachers Inaugural CS in the Wild Community Ambassador, and Model and Peer Collaborative Teacher from the NYCDOE Teacher Leadership office and UFT.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Dr. Sonal Patel (She/Her)

Dr. Sonal Patel is the Digital Learning Innovation Coordinator at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. She supports educators, coaches, and administrators in active professional learning, grounded in solid pedagogy and centered around digital accessibility and inclusion. Sonal has been leading county and state-wide efforts in broadening K-12 access and participation in Computer Science. As a recently appointed member of SCALE-CA (Supporting Computing Access, Leadership, and Equity in California), Sonal aims to build leadership capacity in computer science. Sonal is also the co-founder of the Inland Empire Computer Science Equity Task Force, a collaboration of multiple education stakeholders who are committed to the vision of providing a rigorous and inclusive CS Education.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Jennifer Styer (She/Her)

Jennifer Styer has been teaching high school STEAM classes in Washington state since 2000. She is a CSTA Equity Fellow and an Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador. Jenny’s passion for equity began when she came to the realization that being female didn’t improve the diversity in her classroom. Throughout her career she has attended inclusion and diversity workshops and participated in anti-racist education and book groups. As a result, she has tried everything from bunnies in the classroom to an all-girls tech club. She believes if everyone learns computer science the world will be a better place. Jenny intertwines art and creativity with technology to assist her students in solving problems. When she isn’t teaching, she can be found enjoying the outdoors on horseback or with her family.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Lauren Berrios (She/Her)

Lauren Berrios is a visual-spatial enrichment teacher for 1st through 5th grade students in the White Plains City School District in New York. She is a mentor teacher for the Girls4Tech club at the 6th grade campus and participates as a founding member of her district’s equity committee. Throughout her years as an enrichment teacher, Lauren has campaigned for flexible accommodations, which has allowed many more students to participate in computer science programming. Lauren has been teaching computer science for 6 years and is entering her 11th year of teaching. She is a Picademy Certified educator and an Upperline Code Teaching Fellow. Lauren graduated from Manhattanville College with a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Visual Arts.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Leontae Gray-Ward (She/Her)

Leontae is a proud Purdue University Alumni that received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology. She is passionate about affording scholars high-quality computer science programming and other STEM opportunities. Currently, she is a Project Lead the Way Instructor for the School City of Hammond in Indiana. Leontae has also served a 4 year term as a board member of Engineering Technology Educators of Indiana. Her passion for STEAM encouraged her to establish her company, S.T.E.A.M. City Tek Exec, where she partners with other organizations and travels throughout urban communities to host STEM camps for youth. Leontae is eager to find and pursue opportunities that will allow her to continue to advance in this field and make a huge impact in the community. In her spare time, Leontae loves exploring music, engaging in her children’s educational and recreational activities, and spending time with her family.

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CSTA IMPACT Fellow, Cohort 3

Pradip Misra (He/Him)

I am a Teacher in Bagdad High/Middle School. Becoming a teacher has been one of my best decisions in my life. Everyday trying new things in my classroom, understanding the problems of my students, communicating with community members, fellow teachers, administrators to make our student successful makes me feel that a teacher can bring so many smiles in the society.

Currently, I am doing my Doctorate degree program in Education. My work has been recognized by many awards and recognitions. I am, also, on the board of various organizations to promote education in every corner of the country and the world. For me, equity has a deep meaning that we all work together to make everyone successful.

I have always believed that Education is all about collaboration and constant learning. We learn from each other, we share with each other and together we can all be successful.

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CSTA IMPACT 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.

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CSTA IMPACT 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.

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CSTA IMPACT 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.

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CSTA IMPACT 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.

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CSTA IMPACT 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.

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CSTA IMPACT 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.

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