Responsible AI Fellowship

The CSTA Responsible AI Fellowship is a prestigious year-long leadership journey that empowers PreK-12 educators to develop ethical, inclusive, and transformative approaches to artificial intelligence teaching. This program addresses the critical need for educators who can navigate the complex landscape of AI education while ensuring responsible innovation in classrooms.

The program brings together approximately 15 fellows who form a dynamic learning community, supporting each other as emerging leaders and driving system-wide change in AI education through collaborative learning and peer mentorship.

Fellowship Focus Areas

Our fellows will develop expertise in:

  • Ethical AI Frameworks: Understanding and teaching core principles of responsible AI development and deployment
  • Inclusive AI Education: Ensuring AI learning experiences are accessible and relevant to all students.
  • Transformative Teaching Practices: Implementing pedagogical approaches that help students critically analyze AI’s impact on society
  • Leadership and Advocacy: Building capacity to champion responsible AI education at local, state, and national levels
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Meet the Cohorts

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Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 1

Matt Alonso (He/Him)

Matt Alonzo is a 22-year veteran mathematics teacher in his 14th year of teaching computer science at Parkway North High School in St. Louis, Missouri. A lifelong learner, he continually seeks opportunities to grow in CS education while centering his work on equity. As a member of cohort 5 of the CSTA Impact Fellowship (formerly the Equity Fellowship), Matt gained a deeper understanding of the potential harms AI can pose to students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. This experience drives his excitement for the CSTA Responsible AI Fellowship, where he hopes to shape how AI is used in education. Matt also serves as equity chair of the CSTA Missouri chapter, was the 2023 CS Teaching Excellence Award winner, and was Parkway North’s 2022–23 Teacher of the Year. In addition, he is in his ninth year on his local school board, currently serving as president.

Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 1

Oommen Chris Jacob

Oommen Chris Jacob is an accomplished educator, instructional technologist, and leader with over 17 years of experience in the New York City Department of Education. He serves as Technology Coordinator, Computer Science Department Head, and Future Ready NYC Coordinator at Pathways College Preparatory School, where he established and leads the Computer Science department. Chris teaches multiple college-level courses, mentors teachers, and drives initiatives that integrate technology to prepare students for careers in computer science, data science, and emerging fields. He is pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership with a focus on Educational Technology at the American College of Education, with research centered on AI integration and teacher self-efficacy. Passionate about equity and innovation, Chris partners with industry and higher education to expand early-college opportunities and work-based learning for historically underserved students.

Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 2

Patti Hockensmith (She/Her)

With more than 32 years of teaching experience, including the past six years as a STEM educator, Patti Hockensmith is passionate about creating hands-on, engaging learning experiences for elementary students. As a STEM teacher at C.H. Campbell Elementary School, she focuses on helping students explore creativity, problem-solving, coding, robotics, engineering, and emerging technologies in meaningful ways. Patti is dedicated to making STEM accessible and exciting for all learners through innovative lessons and collaborative projects. She is actively involved in district and county STEM initiatives, collaborating with fellow educators to share ideas and strengthen classroom instruction. Her work emphasizes curiosity, teamwork, and real-world connections while encouraging students to become confident thinkers and creators. Through ongoing professional development and technology integration, Patti continues to inspire students while preparing them with the skills needed for the future.

Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 2

Shilpa Agrawal (She/Her)

Shilpa Agrawal is a founding teacher of Comp Sci High, a charter school in the South Bronx. She currently serves as the Director of CS, coaching all the CS teachers in the school and overseeing the 4-year course progression. In her past 7 years at the school she has taught various classes including AP CSA, Software Engineering, AP Calculus, Intro to Physics, and AP Physics 1. Prior to teaching, Agrawal earned her Bachelor’s Degree in CS from MIT, and then worked at Google for 3 years as a Product Manager. She is passionate about teaching CS because the subjects allow students to discover through hands-on problem solving. She aims to help build a field of computing that not only accepts people with different backgrounds, but actively encourages them to bring their full selves to the table.

Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 1

Tamar McPherson (She/Her)

Tamar McPherson is the K-12 CS, Business, and Technology Education/STEM Department Leader for the Plum Borough School District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she also teaches high school computer science. With a background in mechanical engineering, she brings a design mindset to education, building systems that expand equitable access to CS across all grade levels. Tamar serves as President of CSTA Pittsburgh and mentors teachers across Pennsylvania as they prepare for the CS Praxis exam. She has contributed nationally as a pedagogical expert for GenCyber@Pitt and as a facilitator for Cyber.org’s 9–12 Cybersecurity Cohort. Her work has been recognized with awards including the CSforAllPA Exemplary Educator Award, the Carnegie Science High School Educator Award, and the NCWIT SWPA Affiliate Educator Award. She champions responsible, inclusive, and future-ready AI and computer science education.

Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 1

Tarquinn Curry (He/Him)

Tarquinn Curry is a veteran educator with 22 years of teaching experience in Long Beach Unified School District. He teaches film, robotics, and coding at Jefferson Leadership Academies and leads AI courses for BOSS, a nonprofit that empowers students of color through mentorship and technology. Tarquinn serves on both the State of California AI Task Force and the LBUSD AI District Task Force, helping shape equitable approaches to computer science and artificial intelligence in K–12 education. In 2025, he was recognized as an ASU+GSV AI Innovator for his leadership at the intersection of equity, technology, and learning. He holds a master’s degree in education and a preliminary administrative credential. Tarquinn also founded Silvereye Films LLC and Quinnsight, blending media, education, and AI consulting to expand opportunities for students, families, and communities.

Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 1

Tim Swick (He/Him)

Tim is a teacher for Lexington Richland School District 5 in South Carolina, where he is currently spearheading an innovative middle school program that blend computer science, design thinking, and artificial intelligence. At CrossRoads Middle, he is helping to develop the Innovation Studio: Engineering Solutions for the Future, a pioneering elective that introduces students to robotics, makerspaces, and AI fundamentals while aligning with state computer science graduation requirements. Tim has built partnerships with educators and state leaders to expand equitable access to CS education, and he regularly shares his expertise through CSTA and other professional organizations. His work focuses on creating inclusive pathways that prepare all students to engage critically and responsibly with emerging technologies.

Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 2

Trakeisha Howard (She/Her)

Trakeisha Howard is a licensed CS educator in Tennessee, a certified CodeHS Ambassador, and a K–12 instructor at CodeCrew. Since joining in 2018, she has advanced from TA to full-time instructor, teaching software development, robotics, and physical computing. She also has experience with Memphis-Shelby County Schools as a Math, Science, ELA, and CLUE teacher. Trakeisha holds a CS degree from LeMoyne-Owen College and a Master’s in Education from Rhodes College, specializing in interdisciplinary STEM, music, and AI creativity.

Responsible AI Fellow, Cohort 1

Zahra Razi (She/Her)

Zahra Razi specializes in integrating computer science and educational technology into K–12 instruction, with expertise in curriculum design, interdisciplinary teaching, and teacher professional development. With a background in both computer science and pedagogy, she has created a middle school computer science curriculum that incorporates programming, artificial intelligence, physical computing, robotics, cybersecurity, and data science into both core and intervention courses. Her instructional approach emphasizes helping students create responsibly with technology and engage in ethical innovation, encouraging them to critically explore the societal impact and real-world applications of computer science.

She collaborates with educators across disciplines to design inclusive, interdisciplinary projects and has also served as an Educational Technology Coach, supporting teachers in implementing digital tools and emerging AI technologies. A frequent presenter at education and technology conferences, Zahra shares practical, student-centered strategies. She is an Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador, a member of the California Department of Education AI Work Group, an ASU+GSV AI Innovator, and the recipient of both the ISTE 20 to Watch Educator and ISTE GenerationAI Awards.

CSTA’s Responsible AI Fellowship is made possible in partnership with:

Google
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